New research released today has found that nearly half of Dublin jobseekers are in work but actively looking for a new role with a desire to increase salary being the largest motivating factor.
This is according to a survey carried out by Jobs Expo Dublin which explored a range of other issues and concerns relating to employment and covered people employed in a multitude of sectors such as financial, medical, legal, IT, science, engineering, media, digital, education, hospitality, retail and traders.
The research shows that 74% of people believe that employers took advantage of the recession to keep salaries low. Meanwhile, more than half of people (53%) believe the gender pay gap continues to be a significant issue in Ireland.
Over the last twelve months, 40% of people have applied for between one and five jobs while 16% have applied for up to ten.
The Jobs Expo survey also found that 37% have applied for jobs abroad in recent years, with the UK being the most popular work destination. Other popular locations included Europe (32%), Canada (22%), the USA (20%) and Australia (15%).
The majority of respondents (70%) were Dublin-based with 26% from elsewhere in Ireland. Seventy per cent were looking for work in the capital. However, 15% were happy to work anywhere in Ireland.
Salary was the primary reason most respondents were looking for a new job. Over half (53%) said that their last salary offer was unfair. Many had good reason to be unhappy with the remuneration offered by employers with 70% saying their salary was not open to negotiation.
Just over two-thirds (64%) of respondents have been paid less than a colleague with the same education and experience. Sixty four per cent say they have been paid a lower salary than a colleague with either less education or experience.
Commenting on the research, Jobs Expo's Bronagh Cotter said, "The survey makes it clear that many employees are unhappy with their current roles and salaries. Given the time and expense to hire qualified staff, this is a significant factor that employers should take onboard. A great deal of the time, salaries don’t appear to be open to negotiation. If employees feel underpaid, they feel undervalued in other ways too."
Jobs Expo takes place this coming Saturday 22nd April at Croke Park.
Source: www.businessworld.ie
