IT WORKERS CONDEMN LACK OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Although employees in the IT sector were satisfied with the overall benefits packages on offer, the majority of respondents felt that their career development was not getting the attention it deserved, according to research by leading specialist recruitment company, Hays Information Technology.

Over half of employees surveyed did not feel there was sufficient scope for progression in their careers (54%) although the potential for career development when evaluating new roles was deemed important by over two thirds of respondents (67%). Interestingly, there was a marked difference of opinion - employers were not only confident that their employees could advance in their careers, but 81% also stated that their IT departments were equipped with the right skills to deliver an excellent service.

Nearly two thirds of IT workers in permanent roles were satisfied with their packages (65%) – the top three most valued benefits were a contributory pension (52%), followed by bonus (51%) and private medical insurance (49%). Although basic salary remains the most important factor (80%) in considering a new role, jobseekers were equally keen to secure challenging and interesting work (79%). Where bonuses are being offered, these are usually related to company performance, with only 11% of organisations rewarding individual performance. According to employers, contributory pensions and annual leave (20%) were the joint most important factors contributing to staff retention. While employers did not feel that flexible benefits (8%) and training support (4%) had a significant impact on their recruitment and retention strategies, over three quarters of IT workers (79%) considered flexible working to be an increasingly important benefit.

Richard Horrocks, Director of IT Contracting at Hays IT, comments:

“For many employers, delivering strategic IT projects represents an opportunity for their organisations to move a step ahead of the competition and increase productivity. Benefits have remained competitive, as organisations are eager to retain talent. Candidates are naturally more cautious and less inclined to change jobs, so will be scrutinising remuneration and benefits, job security and enhanced career prospects more closely.” 

For further information visit www.hays.com/it

About the survey:

• IT professionals/contractors working in the private and public sectors
• 1,062 responses (693 employees, 369 employers)

Note to Editor:

Hays Information Technology is part of Hays plc, the leading global specialist recruitment group. It is market leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. The Group employs 8,294 staff operating from 380 offices in 28 countries across 17 specialisms. For the year ended 30 June 2008: 

• the Group had revenues of £2.5 billion, net fees of £786.8 million and operating profit before exceptional items of £253.8 million;
• the Group placed around 80,000 candidates into permanent jobs and around 300,000 people into temporary assignments;
• the temporary placement business represented 49% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 51% of net fees

For further press information please contact:

Alexandra Tucker
Hays UK
T. 020 7630 4282
E. alexandra.tucker@hays.com