93% Of Employees Want a Christmas Bonus- not a Party, Reveals Irishjobs.ie
IrishJobs.ie Research Shows Private Sector as unhappy as the public sector on pay and getting ready to move on
- 93% want a Christmas bonus, not a party
- 56% of Irish job seekers haven’t had a salary increase this year
- 70% will be asking for a salary increase in the next 12 months
- 62% are not satisfied with their current salary
2017 will be the year of the job change
- 57% plan on looking for a new job in 2017
- 73% feel the job market has improved
- 61% will upskill in 2017, with 25% updating their IT skills
In the run up the Christmas Party season, more than 90 percent of Irish employees would rather their companies spent money on giving them a bonus rather than the Christmas party, according to research by IrishJobs.ie. The research also shows the majority of Irish job seekers in the private sector are unhappy with the salaries in their current jobs and are planning to ask for a pay rise or to change jobs within the next 12 months.
New Year’s Exit Strategy
The research also showed that employees are already planning their exit strategy with 73% percent believing the jobs market is stronger than in 2015. In the new year, 61% are planning to upskill in anticipation of a new role, with 25% planning to brush up on their IT skills. 57% plan to look for a new job in the New Year as 73% of those surveyed felt the market had improved in the last year
The IrishJobs.ie survey of 1,239 job seekers revealed that 56% of respondents haven’t had a salary increase in 2016 with 70% planning to ask for an increase in the coming year.
Pressure on Government
These findings come at a time when the government is under increasing pressure from workers’ unions in the public sector. This year has been marked by ongoing industrial action from teachers, bus drivers and Luas drivers and proposed strikes from An Garda Síochána, nurses and junior doctors.
This survey reveals the unhappiness over pay is also prevalent in the private sector too. With 50% feeling worse off now than last year. When asked, 62% of those surveyed were unhappy with their current salary.
“Increasing rents, childcare and insurance costs have all taken a bite out of people’s pay packets and our research certainly reflects that many people feel that they should be paid more for the job they do,” said Orla Moran, General Manager, IrishJobs.ie.
“The common belief is that the best way to increase your salary is to move jobs so it’s not surprising that 57% of our respondents told us they intend to job hunt next year. The job market is incredibly buoyant at the moment; we’ve thousands of jobs available on IrishJobs.ie, which certainly is positive news for all those prospective jobseekers.”
“At this time of year, I would also suggest that people take a step back, review their professional achievements and consider how they added value to their company over the last 12 months. Negotiation is a key part of getting a salary increase so if you want a pay rise then you should be able to prove why you deserve it. ”
IrishJobs.ie Three Tips to Getting a Pay Rise
- Show you have earned it
You need to justify why you should be earning more. If you can’t do that then you won’t get anywhere. If at all possible quantify your contribution in monetary terms. Show how you have reduced costs, improved profits, won new business or improved efficiencies. All of this will strengthen your case.
- Keep your approach professional
Approach any negotiations about a pay rise in a business-like manner. Don’t take any refusal personally or confuse it with your worth to your company. There could be external factors, which you may not be aware of, that could influence your employer’s decision.
- Don’t fear refusal
Your boss may say no so be prepared for that. If they say no then use your meeting to discuss how you can add value to the company. Hopefully, you can start to take the steps that will ensure the next time you ask for a pay rise you’ll get it.
