A recent national Investors in People employee survey reveals that there has been a 10% year-on-year increase in staff looking to jump ship, with over half of UK workers (59%) considering changing jobs in 2017.
Interestingly just under half of Yorkshire’s workforce are considering changing jobs in the New Year and 68% of Yorkshire and Humber workers are unhappy with their pay rate.
The findings are outlined in Investors in People’s annual ‘Job Exodus Trends’ report, revealing that pay is becoming increasingly important to workers in Yorkshire and the Humber with 68% saying they are looking to move jobs because of it – a 33% jump on the 2016 outlook. Amid recent concerns about wages stagnating in the UK, over half (53%) said a small pay rise was the one thing their employer could do to increase happiness in their job. Poor management is also a major gripe, with 40% saying this is making them unhappy in their job.
Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, comments: “We were expecting to see British workers planning to stay put in the face of economic uncertainty. But we’ve seen exactly the opposite: a significant rise in people seeking to move employers in 2017 and a jump in jobs confidence. Workers are telling us they want to move for better pay, better management and flexible working. This sends a clear message to British business to invest in your people or risk losing them.”
When asked what the most important qualities are in a new employer, job seekers in Yorkshire and the Humber said competitive pay (71%), the work itself being enjoyable (67%) and having a good reputation as an employer (47%). However, a fifth said they would rather have a more flexible approach to working hours than a 3% pay rise.
Having a reputation as a good employer is particularly important to younger job seekers in Yorkshire (16-29) with 65% saying it’s one of the most important qualities they look for in a new employer.
Paul continues: “With worker wages stagnating and a strong jobs market there is a clear imperative to address workers’ pay and tackle poor management. Poor management (47%) and no career progression (42%) are critical factors for workers in Yorkshire and the Humber being unhappy in their jobs. Employers need to really invest in their people in 2017 to attract and retain the best talent.”
Download the full Investors in People Job Exodus report here
