15 percent of employees resolve to change jobs

When it comes to job hunting, the year 2000 should be a seller's market, not only in high tech but also across the board, according to a newly released study.

Only 1 percent of employed Americans said they expect to be laid off during the next 12 months, but 15 percent said they expect to leave voluntarily to join a different company, according to a telephone survey by Lee Hecht Harrison, an outplacement firm. About 7 percent of workers polled said they hope to retire.

"Employers need to prepare for the fact that more than a fifth of the work force plans to leave their current employment over the course of the year," Bernadette Kenny, chief operating officer of Lee Hecht Harrison, said in a statement.

The results come amid signs of a continuing strong economy; unemployment also remains low. In high tech, many companies are increasing perks--from stock options to health club memberships--to attract and retain workers.

Last year at this time, twice as many respondents to the firm's survey said they expected to be laid off. Some 700,000 corporate jobs were cut so far this year, according to Lee Hecht Harrison.

The latest survey was conducted between Dec. 1 and Dec. 5.