IT staff are 'most satisfied' workers but a fifth are still looking for new jobs
The poll of over 1,600 workers by YouGov, in association with the launch of the Reed 2015 Salary Guides, questioned workers on their attitudes to work and career aspirations.
Within the findings Reed identified key trends which indicate how UK workers' priorities change over the course of their career - which could have a significant effect on the talent management strategies of many UK firms.
With 39 percent of workers in technology claiming that job satisfaction is the single most important aspect of working life, followed by the need for a healthy work-life balance (24 percent), it is no longer just about the salary package, said Reed.
The poll also revealed that satisfaction rates in technology are extremely high, with 87 percent describing themselves as satisfied in their role - yet 17 percent will still be looking for a new job in the next 12 months.
While 16 percent of workers in IT and technology have stayed loyal to the same employer over the course of their career - one of the highest percentages across industries - 23 percent have moved workplaces more than seven times. When asked why they changed employer, workers reported better prospects for promotion (46 percent), better salary (43 percent) and a desire to move location (32 percent) as the top three motivators.
Andrew Gardner, senior divisional director at Reed Technology, said: "In a candidate-led market such as this, even though IT and technology has one of the most loyal workforces, employers need to think hard about how they attract and retain staff.
"Although salary is very important, now we're out of the recession it's no longer just about pay - employers need to consider many other factors, such as flexible working and how they can offer the greatest job satisfaction."
He said: "In the last 12 months, 32 percent of technology and IT workers received some form of pay rise, and 16 percent received a bonus. However, with a quarter (25 percent) having received no additional benefits, the fact that 17 percent are planning to look for a new role over the next 12 months is hardly surprising. Employers need to start taking action and think wider than just the salary package."
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