Half of NZ workers eyeing new jobs - survey

Of those working in property and construction, 63 per cent said they were likely to look for a new job in the next year. Photo/ Northern Advocate

More than half of the workers in an employment survey are planning to look for a new job in the next year.

According to a survey from recruitment firm Michael Page, 56 per cent of those questioned were "very likely" to seek a job with another employer in the coming 12 months.

The online survey canvassed 260 "professionals" working in jobs ranging from entry-level to senior management.

While over half of the respondents said they were "very likely" to try move roles, 22 per cent said they were "quite likely" while 13 per cent said they were "not likely" to shift.

Nine per cent of those surveyed said they didn't know if they would move.

Michael Page regional director Pete Macauley said the workers' intentions reflected a stabalising local economy:

"As employment activity was quite stagnant in previous years, employees had less opportunity to move roles. Also, the sluggish economy didn't allow employers much room to offer wage rises.

"Now employees are taking advantage of improved employment conditions to seek a role that will elevate their career. Similarly, professionals also expect a hike in wages in line with stabilising economic conditions as well as the chance to earn a bonus," he said.

Property and construction was the area where people were most likely to shift, with 63 per cent of survey respondents from that sector saying they were likely to look for a new job.

About a third of those in the survey said they would look for a new job that offers them a 10-12 per cent increase on their base salary. Twenty-two per cent expected a 3-5 per cent pay bump while 16 per cent expected no more money or a salary that was less than in their current role.

Over 60 per cent of workers in the survey said they would seek a pay rise in the next year. Nearly half would be pushing for an increase of 3-5 per cent, while a fifth of those questioned want 6-9 per cent, and another fifth 10-12 per cent. Six per cent said they would be seeking a pay bump of 16 per cent or above.

Read the full report here.