Majority of Kiwi employees – 61% of workers surveyed, say they would feel compelled to change jobs if they came across another position with a higher salary.
Thirty-nine per cent of workers,however, say they would not be lured away from their current position by another job with a higher salary, while about a quarter (24%) of workers admit they would change jobs without an increase in salary if it was the right opportunity, and 15% are content in their current role and would not move regardless of the salary offered, according to the findings of a new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half.
“Money continues to be a powerful influence,” says Ronil Singh, Director at Robert Half. “But even when pay is a primary concern, many employees are weighing financial desires against the need for job security, especially as organisations focus on efficiency and streamlining operations. The balancing act between meeting immediate financial needs and building a sustainable career can be challenging in an uncertain job market.”
When workers were asked if they felt their current salary reflected their expertise, experience and level of responsibility, less than half (40%) agreed that they were paid appropriately.
The remaining 60% of workers state an increased salary would better reflect what they bring to their role and the work required of them. Most workers (30%) believe their salary needs to increase by 10%-20% to be an accurate reflection of their expertise, experience and/or level of responsibility.
“The research shows that many workers feel their pay doesn’t reflect their worth, revealing a disconnect between what employees expect and what they currently earn,” Singh says. “This sentiment can be due to stagnant wages despite increased responsibilities or a perception, whether accurate or not, that their compensation lags behind industry standards for similar roles.
“To counter these sentiments, employers must offer competitive salaries that reflect the value employees bring and transparently communicate the specifics of their compensation packages to each individual.”
At least 37% prioritise job security over their salary while 47% state both are equally important and less than one in five (16%) workers are prepared to prioritise money ahead of having a secure job.
“While salary remains a key consideration, job security is also a number one priority for many workers, especially in the current economic climate. Companies that can offer both competitive compensation and a stable work environment will be best positioned to secure and retain their workforce,” says Ronil Singh, Director at Robert Half.
The study was developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents were drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand.
