|
A total of 32 of Greater
Peterborough’s most high profile companies, representing different
industries and sectors, fed information into the survey about
employees pay and benefits. That represents an increase of a third
on last year.
“After concentrating solely on
surviving the recession, many companies are now starting to look
ahead and make decisions about staffing levels,” said Nel Woolcott,
ACR recruitment partner. “This year’s record number of contributors
is a sign that companies are keen to buy into the Local Market
Survey as a key decision making tool.”
The salary survey is in its 13th
year and has become a valuable benchmark for companies when
reviewing the pay and benefits for employees.
Last year’s results showed the first
overall downturn in wages in 12 years. This year’s overall increase
of two per cent is described as ‘small yet significant’ by Nel.
“The last two years have seen many
companies remaining cautious and implementing pay freezes. These
results reveal the majority of companies have offered some level of
increase this year with those having a pay review later in the year
tending to have been more generous,” said Nel.
“As the effects of the recession
lift companies keen to recruit are having to position themselves as
an employer of choice. This happens on two levels – attracting the
right candidates to fill vacancies but also increasing salary levels
in an effort to retain staff.”
Recruitment partners at ACR have
also noticed a shift in the attitude of candidates.
“With more positivity in business,
there has been a change in attitude among job seekers from ‘any job
will do’ to ‘I want THAT job’,” said Nel. “Companies will need to
take that into account when setting salary levels.”
According to data services manager
for PayData Tim Kellett, the regional results reflect nationwide
trends. He said: “Where there have been pay increases, they have
typically centred on the two per cent mark. Overall, local pay
trends have stabilised, given the significant fluctuations seen in
both 2008 and 2009. Even so, labour market conditions look set to
remain challenging in the short term."
Key findings from the survey
include:
-
Overall, local base salaries
have increased two per cent from last year
-
Secretarial and admin staff have
received the greatest increase on average – five per cent
-
When considering specific roles,
call centre advisers were the biggest winners with an average
increase of 10.3 per cent
-
37 per cent of organisations
report that they differentiate holiday entitlement by seniority
and level – significantly more than last year’s survey when only
six per cent reported a differentiation
-
Consistent with last year’s
findings, those working in jobs coming under the store,
warehouse and production classification continue to be the worst
affected
-
71 per cent of organisations
offer private medical insurance. Of these 41 per cent offer it
to all of their staff.
For more information about
involvement in future Local Market Surveys please email
info@annecorder.co.uk
September 2010-
Peterborough UK Community Website
|
