- Job satisfaction trumps salary as the most important aspect of working life.
- Breakdown across the ages reveals changing priorities when it comes to work and play
With research revealing that workers in construction rate job satisfaction as more important than salary, recruitment specialist REED is urging employers to give consideration to their recruitment and retention strategies.
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, career aspirations and regrets.
What really matters at work
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 35% of workers in the construction sector claiming that job satisfaction is the single most important aspect of working life, it’s no longer just about the salary package.
Results revealed – what matters most across the ages
18-24 Salary and benefits (38%)
25-34 Job satisfaction (31%)
35-45 Work-life balance (31%)
45-54 Salary and benefits (25%)
55+ Job satisfaction and work-life balance (joint top – 32%)
Career carousel
The poll also revealed that although 76% of workers in the construction sector are satisfied in their role, 14% intend to look for a new job in the next 12 months.
While 16% of construction workers have stayed loyal to the same employer over the course of their career, 24% have moved workplaces seven or more times. When asked why they changed employer, workers reported better salary elsewhere (59%), better prospects or promotion (36%) and boredom with their current role (28%) as the top three motivators.
John Seasman, divisional director at Reed Property & Construction, said: “In a candidate-led market such as this, employers in the construction sector need to think hard about how they attract and retain staff. What this research shows is that 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.
“Our research shows that in the last 12 months, 44% of workers in property and construction received some form of pay rise, and 28% have received a bonus but 23% have received no benefits at all. Employers need to start taking action and think wider than just the salary package.”
The Reed Property & Construction 2015 Salary & Market Insight report can be obtained at www.reedglobal.com/salaryguide
