Employers demand more from Kiwi workers

Employers demand more from Kiwi workers

Auckland, 24 September 2013: Almost nine out of ten (86 per cent) Kiwis feel their employers make higher demands on their skills and competencies than five years ago, according to the findings of the latest Randstad Workmonitor.

Demand is even higher on digital skills with 87 per cent of Kiwi workers saying their employers place more importance on their digital skills than they did five years ago.

It is a theme that runs constant around the world, according to the global research commissioned by recruitment and HR services specialists, Randstad.

Our Australian counterparts certainly agree, with 84 per cent of Aussies believing their employers make higher demands on employee skills and competencies than five years ago, while 87 per cent say the demand on digital abilities has increased. And China (94 per cent), Malaysia (93 per cent) and Brazil (93 per cent) agree.

The demand does not stop there; New Zealand employees also feel their employers make higher demands on their social skills, education levels and experience, more so than five years ago.

Who is responsible?

While employers are making increased demands on their employees’ skill sets, most Kiwis believe it’s their employer who is largely responsible for maintaining their professional development. Eighty-six per cent of New Zealanders believe it’s their bosses job to ensure their skills and competencies correspond with the requirements of the job, while just 73 per cent believe this is the employees responsibility.

This trend is the same in Australia, where 89 per cent of workers believe the onus to ensure skills sets match the job description lies with the employer. And in Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden, employees are clear in who they hold responsible for this: the employer.

Future expectations

Kiwi workers not only believe their employers make higher demands on their skills and competencies than five years ago, they expect the same for the future. Eighty-two per cent of Kiwis expect their job requirements to become more demanding in the coming years, compared with 73 per cent of Australians and 70 per cent of Canadians. These expectations are much lower in Spain (57 per cent) and Denmark (62 per cent).

Future concerns

Ninety-one per cent of Kiwi employees say they will do anything to meet their job requirements. Despite this and with the higher demands experienced in the past five years and the same expectations for the future, more than a quarter (28 per cent) of employees fear they will no longer be able to meet their job requirements in due time.

This concern is highest in Japan (60 per cent), which is remarkable as at the same time Japanese employees are less willing than other employees around the globe to do anything to meet their job requirements, with just 60 per cent willing to do so.

Randstad Mobility Index increases to 109

Globally after a decrease to 108 in the previous wave, the Randstad Mobility Index has increased to 109, the highest point in three years. However in New Zealand this has decreased from 100 to 99 which means less Kiwi employees expect to have a different job in the next six months.

Mobility has increased in Spain, Norway, India and Slovania and decreased in The Netherlands, Belgium and Australia. Australia has experienced a much larger drop in their mobility index, moving from 111 in the second quarter of the year to 104 for the third quarter. This is likely to be a reflection of uncertainty in the lead up to the Federal Election and the expected change in Government.

Consistent with the previous wave, 12% of employees globally are actively looking for a new job. Numbers have increased in Mexico and in India, and the highest percentage of employees looking for a new job can be found in India (33%).

Employee confidence increases slightly

The confidence of finding a comparable job within six months in New Zealand increased to 68 per cent, after dipping during the second quarter of the year. Sweden, Japan, Argentina and Malaysia all show a rise in confidence whereas confidence declined in The Netherlands and Poland.

The overall fear of job loss in New Zealand has decreased slightly to 15%, while those with significant fear of job loss has dropped to just three per cent. The fear of job loss in Australia is much higher, at 24 per cent, while significant fear of job loss is six per cent.

Job satisfaction

Employees in India (84%), Denmark and Luxembourg (both 78%), Switzerland, Canada and Malaysia (all 77%), followed by The Netherlands (75%) are the most satisfied with their current employers,

Kiwis and Australians are not far behind, with 70 per cent of workers from both countries either satisfied or very satisfied with their current employer.

Employees from Singapore (56%), Greece (52%), Hungary (49%), Hong Kong (47%) and Japan (44%) are the least satisfied.

Personal motivation

Scandinavians are less likely to focus on getting a promotion, with 73 per cent of people in Denmark, 66 per cent in Sweden and 58 per cent in Norway not focused on climbing the corporate ladder. However, ambitious Kiwis are looking to increase their standing. In New Zealand 58 per cent of employees are focused on gaining a promotion - slightly more than Australia at 56 per cent.

ENDS

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