New research: What do the UK's employees really want? | News Direct

New research: What do the UK's employees really want?

News release by Futureheads

facebook icon linkedin icon twitter icon pinterest icon email icon London, UK | May 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

New research reveals what employees really want as UK job market rebounds - only 6% want to be fully based at home, 66% want flexible working and NOT unlimited holiday (12%) whilst only 16% believe their present work has purpose, despite valuing this as a priority

According to official data from The Office of National Statistics (ONS), UK employers began hiring again in March with data showing the strongest rebound in permanent hiring for six years. As employers ramp up their searches, insightful new data from digital recruitment agency Futureheads suggests the criteria employees are looking for from new job roles - particularly in the tech sector - may look different to expectations in the post-pandemic world.

Contrary to expectation, only 6% of workers want to be fully based at home, with the majority (68%) seeking a combination of work and home. Four out of five (81%) want to return to the office at least half the time, suggesting that workers are missing the benefits of being in a shared space. It seems that the unprecedented increase in home-working caused by the pandemic, rather than leading to a permanent shift, has instead driven a reflex to seek greater flexibility in work location.

By far the biggest priority identified was flexible working, with 66% choosing this as appealing, whereas perks like unlimited holiday were listed as important by just 12% of respondents.

Only 16% of those surveyed by Futureheads believed their work made a difference and had purpose, however more than a quarter (27%) saw the company’s mission being positive to society as a high priority, suggesting employers need to shape up to appeal to prospective and current employees.

Said Be Kaler Pilgrim of Futureheads: “We wanted to run this research to find out more about the people behind the jobs in the UK tech sector, what makes them tick and whether their expectations have changed post-pandemic. We often see headlines about the tech sector and how it’s growing in the UK - but what motivates the people that move it forwards? The results of this survey are interesting to see and should help employers shape what they need to do to attract the best candidates when they’re looking to hire.”

As lockdown restrictions ease, the Futureheads research suggests a potential boom in job-hopping, as more than half stated the pandemic had stopped them looking, but 30% have started looking since, with the potential for this number to grow as job security increases. Within this increasingly competitive market, employers will need to up their game to retain existing staff and appeal to desirable candidates.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

For press enquiries, contact futureheads@yourssincerely.online.

About Futureheads (www.wearefutureheads.com)

We are Futureheads, a recruitment business that is all about digital media and all about being specialist. Founded in 2009 by three seasoned digital media recruiters and now a 40-strong team, we don't try to be all things to all people. Instead, we focus on what we're really good at and have a strong reputation built on honest, fuss-free delivery. The Futureheads team is built around our niche disciplines: - User Experience - Design & Creative - Service Design - Project Management - Product Management - Change & transformation - Technical - Executive. Our consultants are embedded into a niche area of digital so when you talk to a Futurehead you talk to a specialist who understands what you do and what you're looking for. Simple and, we hope, refreshing. So if you're looking to hire or be hired, for temporary, contract or permanent roles, come and talk to us. If we can't help you, we'll tell you. And if we can, happy days.

Contact Details

Yours Sincerely

Amelia Strawson

+44 7833 493677

amelia@yourssincerely.online

Company Website

https://www.wearefutureheads.com/