10% in private sector change jobs

ONE in 10 private sector workers moved jobs this year and 60,000 employees quit because they did not like the people they worked with.

And a survey conducted by the Small Firms Association (SFA) found just 29,000 of the 199,000 who changed jobs did so to get better wages.

The survey also showed 25% left their job because they believe the Irish workplace culture suffers from a lack of recognition for the contribution which people make.

The survey said in many cases, companies reported that while they recognise people are the most important asset of the business, they forget to convey this to their staff because of pressure of work.

Director of the Small Firms Association, Pat Delaney said: "Increasing wages simply to keep staff is like the arms race expensive to play and impossible to win.

"Companies must always pay the market rate but other factors are more important in attracting and retaining people in the modern workplace."

Just over 27,000 people left because of their salary and almost 10,000 left because they were bored with their job.

Mr Delaney said: "These survey findings show that in many instances people leave people, not jobs. The role of management is now far more complex, with managers required to do far more than simply give instructions.

"Managers need to provide training, coaching, support and managers themselves need to be reviewed on a 360-degree basis. 170,000 people voted with their feet last year, because of a failure to get on with fellow employees and the style of management."

One in five people left jobs last year because of lack of advancement and Mr Delaney said this highlights the need for continual training programmes within every business.

"While money remains a universal motivator, other issues such as learning opportunities, personal growth, work variation, autonomy at work and intellectual stimulation must feature highly on small business strategy to attract and retain staff," he said.

He added that companies which respond to employee retention solely by increasing wages are only buying time, not loyalty.

"Companies which compete for scarce talent only on a cash basis are vulnerable to the next offer that the employee receives."

Mr Delaney said prospective employees should look beyond basic rates of pay and examine the full remuneration package which includes many non-pay elements.

"They should see that small companies give people the opportunity to use all their talents, people are not pigeon-holed, are close to the decision making process and they will be paid at least as much, if not more, than working for a larger company."