New survey shows what employees want from their jobs

The ability to work flexibly is now the second most important reason for deciding to accept a job, according to a recent survey by recruiter Randstad UK.

In a poll of 6000 UK candidates, 51% said they would like more flexibility in their current job, although only 17% would feel comfortable asking their employer for it.

This disparity may be one of the reasons why workers are feeling so confident about moving jobs. Randstad UK found 24% are planning to leave their current job within the next three to six months – something The Guardian are dubbing ‘The Great Resignation’ – while a massive 67% feel confident or very confident about moving to a new employer.

Salary still tops the list of reasons why someone is satisfied in their current post, but work-life balance is a close second. It’s clear from the results that candidates are looking for more wellbeing support from their employers and now that flexible or remote working has become an option during the pandemic, many workers aren’t prepared to revert to previous norms.

The opportunity for flexible working is now behind only salary and equal to career progression when deciding whether to accept a new job. And for the first time, flexibility knocked job location out of the top five.

What employers should be thinking about

The survey found that 26% of people are working more hours than they’re paid for, with six per cent doing 21 or more hours than they should be.

If that’s truly the case, it’s no wonder employees are looking elsewhere. And with more and more companies recognising the importance of family friendly and mental health policies, those will end up being the more desirable to work for.

So once Covid stops being a reason why people are afraid to leave a stable job, it’s clear the onus is going to be on employers to make themselves attractive to candidates.

As Randstad UK says, “Our survey results suggest that communicating long-term job security and being flexible around working patterns will make the greatest impact, but it’s also about managing expectations, rewarding hard work and prioritising employee wellbeing.”

“Employers who choose to be flexible with their start and finish times, [are] open to discussion around days worked and less rigid when it comes to how employees spread their hours over the week, could capture talent not even on the market,” they continue. “Because when you bolster your employer brand, word spreads fast.”

Read more:

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