IT Professionals Want Better Work-Life Balance
Clicks IT Recruitment has been surveying IT professionals across Australia for over a decade. Our IT Workforce Insights Report taps into the mindset of IT employees and job seekers to support companies develop data-driven recruitment and retention strategies.
The theme for last years’ IT Workforce Insights report was show me the money, but this year IT professionals are placing more value on work-life balance than previously. Location, flexibility, and the option to work from home are more important than ever. Respondents indicated they value all these things more when considering new job opportunities – on average tripling metrics from 2021.
Our Recruitment and Retention report reveals the demand for IT staff continues to grow since last year. Current skills shortages are putting pressure on existing staff. Additionally, the background pressure of an ongoing global pandemic and the direct impact of team members getting sick creates more stress and increases an already full workload. Feeling overworked, staff are placing more value on work-life balance.
Download Clicks’ IT Workforce InsightsGiven all this, it is unsurprising that IT professionals report factors that can impact their wellbeing are critical when considering switching jobs. More than two-thirds of IT professionals surveyed indicated they prefer a hybrid work arrangement. Only 5% reported they would like to return to the office full-time.
How does this impact employers?
Focusing on wellbeing is a vital element of staff attraction. A happier workforce also means lower absenteeism and higher productivity. However, when considering staff retention, employers should focus on ensuring employees have good balance of responsibilities, challenges and workload.
Many IT professionals are choosing to quit rather than risk burnout. This year, the number of respondents who left their roles due to being stretched too thin has doubled from 2021.
What else can employers do?
Money talks
While IT professionals are more subdued on the money front, it remains top of mind when they think about leaving or staying. An attractive salary remains what the majority of respondents selected as most important when they review a job ad. When asked, ‘my employer could do to keep me for life if…’ many IT professionals indicated more money.
Money remains a motivator that employers can use for hiring and retaining top IT talent. And many employers did pay more, with 56% of respondents reporting they received a salary increase over the last 12 months.
Access the hidden candidate market
Recruitment agencies can help organisations find ‘hidden’ candidates. Over a third of IT professionals surveyed revealed they secured a job after receiving a call about an opportunity they did not apply to – a consistent trend over the last six years. Specialist recruitment agencies are well-networked in the industry. At the same time, those who invest in smart systems will have access to large, up-to-date candidate databases.
When hiring, organisations will benefit from working with tech-savvy recruitment agencies that maintain regular contact with active and passive candidates. This partnership will help them find more candidates and better fill vacancies. Effective hiring will support existing team members and reduce excess workloads.
Our latest edition includes over 1,200 individual responses from IT professionals surveyed in July 2022.
Download Clicks’ IT Workforce InsightsClicks is an award-winning IT recruitment specialist. We have specialist teams who are trained across each IT skill vertical. As Australia’s favourite recruiters, we help companies find great people in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane each day!
Whether it’s permanent, contract, fixed-term, master vendor, or payroll only, we’ve ready to help. Register a Vacancy or contact us on 1300 CLICKS today for a confidential chat.
