Insight: retail workers more confident about jobs market
A new national employee survey has shown a 17% year-on-year increase in retail staff looking to jump ship with 59% considering changing jobs in 2017.
The findings from Investors in People’s annual ‘Job Exodus Trends’ report, reveals that one in four retail employees are already on the hunt for a new role in 2017.
The study shows that confidence in the jobs market has bounced back with 8% now reporting it has significantly improved since last year, up from 2% in 2016.
The biggest gripe for retail workers was found to be pay, with 60% saying it is one of the main reasons they are looking to move – a 6% increase on last year
Some 53% of retail staff said a small pay rise was the one thing their employer could do to increase happiness in their job. Pay was closely followed by working hours as a major gripe for retail workers with 38% saying they are a cause of unhappiness in their job.
Paul Devoy, head of Investors in People, said: “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, retail workers cited competitive pay, the work itself being enjoyable, followed by benefits and having a reputation as a good employer. However, almost a quarter said they would rather have a more flexible approach to working hours than a 3% pay rise.
Being part of an organisation that values its staff was found to be particularly important to workers aged 16 to 29 with over a third saying it is one of the most important qualities they look for in a new employer.
Devoy added: “With worker wages stagnating and a strong jobs market there is a clear imperative to address workers’ pay and tackle poor management. Pay, working hours and not feeling valued are critical factors for retail workers being unhappy.”
