Employees more confident to move jobs

Jason Walker, managing director of Hays (NZ)

The number of employees planning to change jobs is rising as the worst of the economic downturn looks to have passed, a new survey shows.

When asked how many people they know are looking to change jobs, 52 per cent of respondents to the survey by specialist recruiter Hays indicated "quite a few".

A further 35 per cent thought most people just wanted to stay in their current role, while 13 per cent said most of their friends were not working. The survey covered 831 respondents.

Jason Walker, managing director of Hays in New Zealand, said the number of people looking to change jobs had increased significantly.

"Some are passive job seekers, tentatively keeping an eye on opportunities that become available. Others are actively thinking of their career and looking for their next step up," Walker said.

"Many of these candidates feel overworked and undervalued. Some feel frustrated by a lack of career progression this year.

"They held off exploring other opportunities until signs of economic stabilisation were clear. They are now looking for roles offering them real career growth."

- NZPA