More workers hunt for new jobs

Twice as many employees as last year are looking to change jobs as dissatisfaction grows following the recession, according to a new survey.

The workplace survey to be unveiled at a business breakfast in Christchurch tomorrow morning reveals that one in 3.5 employees have applied for a new job in the last six months. This is twice as many as in the period up to November last year.

The Leadership, Employment and Direction (Lead) survey has been conducted by Leadership Management Australasia in Australia for 10 years and in New Zealand for the past five years.

The survey shows that there has also been a 25 percent increase in those actively looking for a new job, and a 15 percent increase in those thinking about looking for a new job.

Chase Research head Adrian Goldsmith said this "staggering" jump on job applications was a result of management ignoring their employees after the financial crisis.

"Employees are looking to jump ship because they feel they have been overlooked. They've received no recognition or reassurance about their futures," he said.

"These are the same people that management asked to accept salary freezes, to work unpaid overtime and change working hours as the financial crisis took hold. They're being ignored in the upswing so they're discontented and on the move."

The survey also showed employees are looking to management for recognition, training and development, ethical and fair operations, and family/life friendly workplace practices.

Furthermore, employees are disillusioned with management's attempts to relieve the pressure on worklife balance.

Forty-one percent of New Zealand respondents thought their worklife balance was better than 10 years ago while 31 percent thought they were worse off. Looking ahead, 45 percent believed they would be better off in 10 years time while 21 per cent believed they would be worse off.

The Lead survey involved 500 respondents across New Zealand from all sectors.

- NZPA