High Attrition in Tech: What Are We Missing?

Attrition in the tech industry has almost become a constant conversation. Companies are hiring aggressively, yet they're also losing talent just as quickly. And while market demand is definitely one part of the story, many HR leaders are beginning to realize that the real reasons behind attrition might be much deeper.

To unpack this, we're really excited to welcome Dr. Lakshman Kumar Kodupaka, Global Talent Acquisition Leader for Digital Engineering Services at Sutherland. With his experience working closely with tech talent and global teams, he brings a valuable perspective on what might actually be driving attrition today.

Host of this Episode: Sanjeevani Saikia

Guest Bio

Dr. Lakshman Kumar Kodupaka is a seasoned Talent Acquisition leader and currently serves as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Sutherland Global Services, where he leads hiring for Digital Engineering Services. With extensive experience in building high-performing teams, he has been instrumental in driving large-scale talent strategies across global markets, leveraging data, AI, and innovative sourcing models to meet evolving business demands.

He is known for his strategic mindset, operational excellence, and ability to align talent acquisition with business growth objectives. Dr. Lakshman has played a key role in transforming recruitment functions into proactive, insight-driven ecosystems, focusing on quality hiring, stakeholder collaboration, and workforce planning.

Beyond his corporate role, he actively contributes to thought leadership in the HR and L&D space. He has been a speaker at global forums, including the GSDC Global L&D Summit, where he shares perspectives on emerging trends such as Generative AI, Industry 5.0, and the future of work.

Connect with Lakshman: Linkedin

Timestamps

01:18 The deeper reasons employees leave beyond compensation, perks, and better opportunities.

04:02 Why higher salaries and flashy benefits often fail to fix attrition.

06:40 What organizations may be missing about employee expectations and workplace needs.

09:15 Have career paths and role design evolved with how tech professionals want to grow today?

14:42 How much of tech attrition is actually a leadership and culture issue?

17:20 The role of managers, trust, recognition, and belonging in retention.

19:55 How companies can redesign roles, careers, and employee experience to reduce attrition.