Employers expect to ramp up staffing levels

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A growing number of employers are expecting to increase permanent staffing levels in the coming year, but they are not expecting to pay much more for their staff, a survey by Hays recruiting group indicates.

The 2011 Hays Salary Guide, published today, found 45 per cent of organisations surveyed expected permanent staffing levels to increase in the next year, while 9 percent expected lower levels.

A rise in business activity was expected by 67 per cent.

Despite that, employers were yet to make widespread salary increases, with 57 per cent intending rises of less than 3 per cent at their next review, and 14 per cent to offer no increase.

"Such low intentions are at odds with candidates' own rising expectations - particularly those candidates in demand - and so we expect the gap between salary expectations to widen even further," Jason Walker, managing director of Hays in New Zealand, said.

Hays suggested a "perfect storm" of high demand but short supply was being created in the recruitment market in the year ahead.

- NZPA