A new report has found that the large majority of employees (77%) would actively search for or be open to a new job if their company rolled back flexible work policies.
The data in this year’s Candidate Experience Report, carried out by Greenhouse, surveying over 800 UK-based employees, points to the new expectations around work. It found that most workers feel that flexibility is not just a pandemic perk.
The data revealed that inflexible companies will struggle to hire top talent – over 40% of candidates will not apply for a role that doesn’t offer their preferred working model. As more companies mandate a return to the office, hybrid remains the preferred working model for almost half (47%) of all workers while over 11% prefer a fully remote model, showing that workers want a flexible mix of in-person and remote work. The four-day work week is proven to be an attractive offering with almost 70% saying they would be more likely or will only apply to a job that offers it.
PAY TRANSPARENCY & FAIR HIRING PRACTICES
The report also found that candidates value pay transparency and whether or not a company chooses to publish salary ranges can influence their decision to apply for a role. Over 40% of respondents are more likely to apply to a job posting that includes a salary range. In fact, nearly one-quarter (24%) of respondents are less likely to or will not apply to a role if it does not include a salary range.
“The report highlights that workplace expectations have changed significantly since the pandemic,” said Colm O’Cuinneain, General Manager of EMEA at Greenhouse. “Hybrid work is seen as the new norm given its proven success over the last few years. Also, salary transparency is sought after more than ever before. Organisations need to adapt to this new era of recruitment conditions or run the risk of missing out on top talent and ultimately business success.”
Over half of all respondents (57%) have also been ghosted by UK employers after a job interview, revealed the report. Despite companies committing to DEI efforts, the report found that the hiring process is still plagued with bias as many fail to invest in fair and inclusive hiring processes. Historically underrepresented candidates face a 20% higher chance of being ghosted, compared to white candidates. In a role reversal, men are 28% more likely to be ghosted than women by prospective employers.
WHAT WORKERS WANT
The survey data showed what candidates weigh when considering a new job opportunity, including:
- Workers commonly cited less competitive compensation (35%) and lack of job security (25%) as top reasons for leaving a job, and factors like lack of clear career advancement opportunities (24%), a mismatch in company culture to what was advertised (17%) and lack of transparency from leaders (17%) round out the list.
- Almost one-fifth (16%) of candidates will not apply for job unless they fit all the skills required.
- Workers cite the following reasons they’ve been attracted to a new job:
- Increased compensation/salary (53%)
- Greater job security (42%)
- Better flexible work policies like remote or hybrid (33%)
- Greater career advancement opportunities (30%)
- A greater and more positive company culture (25%)
RELATED ARTICLES
More than one third of organisations in the UK have not promoted or hired someone because of their age, race, gender or accessibility needs, revealed a new survey.
The UK workforce is one of the most dissatisfied and disengaged in Europe, as confidence in the country’s job market plummets, reveals new study.
Sign up for our newsletter
