Kate Ross, director of Kinetic Recruitment, with some of the feedback from a survey about hiring intentions and HR incentives.
We went out to the market with a few questions about staff retention and incentives offered within a range of companies. We also questioned about the last 12 months and growth going forward within these businesses.
We surveyed a diverse range of businesses, of varying sizes, and below is an overview of the questions asked and the condensed feedback that we received.
Have you recruited additional roles over the past year, or perhaps just replaced?
We found that 38 per cent of businesses questioned have recruited for new roles and 62 per cent have replaced staff over the last year. Also newly created roles were generally within the middle to upper management areas of the business. Companies commented that replacements did spread throughout the business, however it has been noted that a high turnover in administration has been seen.
Have you conducted any salary reviews and/ or increases? If so, by approximately what percentage?
We found from our survey that 85 per cent of companies have increased their staff salaries over the last year. The salary increase percentage ranged between 3 per cent to 5 per cent. 7 per cent of businesses increased ALL members of staff by 2 per cent.
What incentives do you offer on top of base salary?
We found that companies offer a wide variety of incentives. They ranged from weekend and night allowances if the company works on a 24/7 scenario, reduced insurance through a group scheme and/or had organised a group employee package through their bank giving perks such as reduced mortgage fees. Some businesses also reimburse practising certificates and paid indemnity insurance. Others offered their senior staff the Koru Club scheme.
We noted that some companies offered a bonus of up to 8 per cent. Also payment of fees for one professional association, payment of mobile phone and staff training of up to 5 per cent of salary per annum. Most also offered the KiwiSaver scheme.
Ensuring staff retention have you had to add any further incentives to your current packages in the way of insurance, KiwiSaver or bonus?
The survey showed that businesses have incorporated bonuses into their staff salaries. Also, most have not had a problem this year with staff retention. Due to the lack of jobs, some staff are choosing to stay in their current positions. Some companies commented that they had also had a reduction in the time it takes to recruit staff as more New Zealanders are more willing to do lower paid jobs.
Do you see your business growing in the next year in the way of staff numbers? If so, in which areas of the business?
This is where the survey got very interesting. We found 19 per cent of companies who responded to the survey said that they saw more of a reduction in staff numbers as they began to streamline out their processes.
We also noted that 37 per cent of respondents where unsure which way it would go, with the rest stating they felt growth would happen, even if only by a small amount.
Please could I have your general comments about the past 12 months:
Most businesses felt that the past 12 plus months have been challenging. Many needed to reduce the wage bill but were also looking to drive performance excellence in their staff. Having more and more need for increase in productivity has indicated that businesses are still getting over and rebuilding from 2009.
Comments such as recovery, albeit very gradual and slight, gives us the best indication for going forward. Calculated recruitment still takes place but only when the need arises.
Kate Ross
Kate Ross is director of Kinetic Recruitment
