New Zealand workers on the move: labour mobility high

New Zealand workers on the move
Labour mobility index hits 12-month high

Auckland, October 12, 2011 - New Zealand workers’ confidence in finding a new job rose to its highest level this year, according to the latest Randstad Workmonitor Mobility Index.

The report, commissioned by specialist recruitment & HR services company, Randstad, tracks jobseeker confidence and provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and trends relating to the employment market.

Randstad’s mobility index tracks changes in the expectation of workers to be employed at a new workplace in the next six months. It shows confidence among New Zealand workers has risen eight points, after tumbling five points from the first quarter of 2011, suggesting assurance in the job market continues to grow following earlier economic challenges.

Director of Randstad New Zealand, Paul Robinson, says these results highlight a significant change in perception within the job market, showing employees are considerably more confident compared to three months ago.

“The New Zealand economy hit a series of speed bumps earlier this year, and worker confidence levels reflected this. It’s natural, in times of uncertainty, for employees to tread a cautious path and stick with what they know is safe.

“It will be an interesting few months as New Zealand business and workers react to the recent credit rating downgrade. The economy was starting to show greater strength, and we were seeing employee mobility return as other key economic indicators reflected a more positive outlook. However with recent announcements from ratings agencies such as Fitch and Standard & Poors, this may impact on confidence and mobility,” he says.

Other findings from Randstad’s Workmonitor show 36 percent of employees believe working part-time is damaging to their career opportunities. Interestingly, the same number of respondents believe working part-time is definitely possible in a management situation.

The report shows only 20 percent of New Zealanders work part-time, although 60 percent of respondents say their organisation facilitates employees wishing to work part-time.

Global Comparison

In a global context, New Zealand ranks eighth for actual mobility, with 18 percent of Kiwi respondents having changed jobs in the previous six months.

In the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand workers were among the least concerned about climbing the corporate ladder, with only 62 percent claiming promotion was a focus, ahead of 57 percent of Australians. This compares to 88 percent of Indian respondents, 81 percent of Chinese respondents, and 71 percent of Singapore respondents. Outside of Asia Pacific, 86 percent of Mexican respondents are focused on landing a promotion and 82 percent of Italian workers.

The third quarter Randstad Workmonitor 2011 also found:

• 6% of Kiwi workers are very frightened of losing their job
• 14% are actively looking for a new job
• 73% are not actively looking for a new job
• 68% are satisfied or very satisfied with their job
• 10% are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their job
• 63% are focused on getting a promotion
• 60% feel the need to do something completely different in their career

New Zealand joins 28 countries across the world in the quarterly Randstad Workmonitor research. Workmonitor is significant to New Zealand as it highlights local and global trends.

A complete press report, including detailed country differences, is available on http://www.randstad.com/press-room/research-reports

About the Workmonitor Research

The Workmonitor’s Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six month time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, also employee satisfaction & personal motivation, as well as a rotating set of themed questions are part of the survey. The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. Research for the third wave 2011 was conducted from July 18 to August 8, 2011.

About Randstad

Randstad is a Fortune 500 Company and one of the world’s largest HR services providers, specialising in executive recruitment, HR Solutions and temporary and permanent staffing across a wide range of specialist industry sectors and professions. The Randstad Group employs more than 520,000 people every day with the aim of taking the lead by shaping the world of work. Visit www.randstad.co.nz for further information.

ENDS

© Scoop Media