UK IT Pros Preparing For Job Move In 2017
IT workers confident about jobs market with three quarters planning a move
More than three-quarters of IT professionals are looking to jump ship from their jobs this year, according to new research from Investors in People.
A new survey reveals a 15 percent year-on-year increase in IT staff looking to jump ship with 76 percent considering changing jobs in 2017. It also claims that 42 percent of IT employees are already on the hunt for a new role.
Elsewhere, the Job Exodus Trends report says that confidence in the jobs market has bounced back with 23 percent of respondents reporting their outlook has significantly improved since last year, when only six percent were optimistic.
Confidence
“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,” said Paul Devoy, head of investors in people. “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.”
Pay is the biggest gripe for IT workers, with 49 percent saying it is one of the main reasons they’re looking to move – an 11 percent increase on last year. 47 percent said a small pay rise was the one thing their employer could do to increase happiness in their job, up 19 on last year.
When asked what the most important qualities are in a new employer, IT job seekers said competitive pay (66 percent), the work itself being enjoyable (55 percent), followed by having a good reputation as an employer (43 percent). However, a third (34 percent) said they would rather have a more flexible approach to working hours than a three percent pay rise.
“With worker wages stagnating and a strong jobs market there is a clear imperative to address workers’ pay and tackle poor management,” said Devoy. “No career progression (36 percent) and poor management (33 percent) are critical factors for IT workers being unhappy in their jobs. Employers need to really invest in their people in 2017 to attract and retain the best talent.”