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SA workers keen to switch jobs for better pay - survey

Cape Town - The urge to move to greener pastures in search of a higher salary and more promising career prospects is rife among South Africa's increasingly restless workforce, a survey has shown.

Research from global technology company CEB shows that the number of South African workers looking to leave their employers has more than doubled to 36.2% over a three-month period. The main reasons for this are dissatisfaction with total pay packets (69.9%) and future career opportunities (71.7%).

Employees look past the slow job market and 21-year unemployment high in their quest for better prospects, with over a third of workers actively looking to switch organisations, according to CEB’s quarterly Global Talent Monitor. It also found employees’ total compensation expectations have risen and are now twice as high as those in mature economies.
 
“We’re seeing the workforce in South Africa growing restless and frustrated with their employers. The surge in job-seeking signals more employees are prepared to switch organisations in order to gain better opportunities and pay,” said Clare Moncrieff, CEB HR principal executive adviser.

Willing to work hard - but for the right price

These workers are no slouches, explained Moncrieff. “People are willing to apply themselves and want to work hard for their organisations, but they want to be rewarded for their effort. The challenge for most firms will be keeping top performers from becoming flight risks.”

Money is the most burning issue and employers need to ensure they are being realistic about the rewards and compensation they can offer, advised Moncrieff.

"Line managers should take the time to find out about employees’ personal aspirations, explore their strengths and help them identify new skills and experiences within the company that will help them expand their capabilities. This is the first step to forming a 'career partnership' that will create reciprocal value for the employee and organisation,” said Moncrieff.

As job security becomes less important, it will be easier for external recruiters to tempt workers to make the switch to a new company, even if they are not actively looking to leave their current employer. Employers need to create rewarding environments that allow their workers to develop and flourish professionally if they want retain their top talent.

SA one of hardest-working countries

Another finding of the CEB survey is that South Africa is one of the hardest-working nations, ranking fifth out of 40 countries polled, with over 31.6% of employees going above and beyond in their roles.

This is almost double the international average of 17.2%, which dropped to a four-year low this quarter. Bucking this global trend, the number of employees putting in extra effort in in South Africa have lifted by 4.6% over the previous year.

China, Singapore and South Korea have the most disengaged workers, with employees increasingly focused on planning their next career move and mentally “checking out” from their present roles.


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