78% of workers believe companies will struggle to find replacement staff
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According to a new survey published by Robert Half, a recruitment consultancy.
The study found that employees are optimistic about their job prospects for 2022. In addition to the three in 10 workers who were looking for a new position at the end of 2021, 15% will start their search for a new job with the new Year. A further 19% will seek a new role in Q2, which for many will follow an annual bonus payment.
Increased confidence in the UAE’s economy is boosting the ambition of almost half – 46% – of those who will seek a new role, who previously waited for the economy to be more stable.
About 25% of employees admitted that they stayed in their current role to maintain financial security as the pandemic continued to create uncertainty, however, these concerns appear to be dissipating quickly.
While this level of mobility is healthy and a good sign for the local economy, it means employers need to prepare for employee departures or put in place additional measures to encourage retention. Only 18% of job seekers say there is nothing their organization can do to entice them to stay, suggesting that most employers will be able to avoid big losses if they act quickly.
“Providing your current and potential employees with competitive salaries and benefits is important for both retention and attraction, but providing flexibility through remote or hybrid working is becoming increasingly important – especially when you employ expatriates,” said Gareth El Mettouri, associate director of Robert Half Middle East.
“The urge to move to the UAE, particularly from the UK, is on the rise, but in a competitive market, offering flexible working arrangements is one way to improve your business attractiveness. Multinational companies tend to be more flexible, but local companies really need to step up their game if they want to attract and retain staff,” El Mettouri added.
36% of employers don’t listen to employee needs
Around 36% of respondents who will be looking for a new job in 2022 feel that their current employer is not listening to their wants and needs. While it’s true that nearly three in five people—57%—are looking for a higher salary and 54% want better benefits, those aren’t the only things that can make a difference.
Flexible working is a big driver for many employees, and while many employers allow employees to choose their own environment, around 34% of those considering leaving say they have no say in their working arrangements. For some employees, it’s more of a priority than pay, with three in five (59%) agreeing to take a pay cut in exchange for more flexibility.
While employers may not be supportive of the idea of giving workers more freedoms, there are clear benefits – for all workers, not just those looking for a new job – 86% agree that organizations must offer more flexibility to retain their staff.
With so many employees looking for a change, leaders should also consider the benefits of attracting new hires, as more than three-quarters – 78% – of workers believe companies will struggle to find staff replacement without a flexible work on the table. .
