New research study also charts the rise of the socially conscious employee
LONDON, UK, October 11, 2005 – Manpower Inc., a world leader in the employment services industry, today launches the findings of a major new research project, asking What Makes A Great Employer? The results reveal what over 12,000 jobseekers in 15 countries want from their employers, what their fears are for the future and what the trends are in the world of work.
Overwhelmingly, financial concerns and fears about job security dominated with almost half of respondents (49%) being concerned about the prospect of unemployment in the next 12 months. 43% of respondents across EMEA reported they would not be financially secure enough to give up work at the expected retirement age. Amongst the most concerned are respondents from the UK (41%), Germany (49%) and Italy (54%).
The MORI survey revealed that almost half (47%) of all respondents are most likely to join or to stay with a company that they feel addresses social issues, for example one who is environmentally aware and has a close relationship with the community. This was most important to jobseekers in Switzerland (74%) and Finland (67%) but least important to candidates in Sweden (17%). Over 1 in 4 (28%) European jobseekers believe that a great employer is one who acts ethically; especially so for Spain (49%) and Turkey (37%).
Despite the fact that flexible working was extremely popular, with some 70% saying they would be happy to work later in life if they could work flexibly, only a fifth (22%) would consider a pay cut to work a shorter working week.
When asked which benefit is the most important, aside from salary and bonus packages, paid courses and education (62%) was the clear leader.
Commenting on the research project, Daniel Kasmir, HR and Corporate Affairs Director, Manpower EMEA said: ‘This study shows that employees are increasingly looking for a secure but flexible working environment, where they can earn to suit their needs. Lifelong learning that continues beyond school and university is also paramount. The survey also shows that today’s workers have a strong social conscience and want to work for ethical organisations.”
On the issue of starting a family, more than a quarter of respondents (27%) feel they or their partners are unable to take time away from their careers to have children. Over a fifth (21%) expressed concern that having a family would impact negatively on their careers. Spain (38%) and Greece (26%) are the most worried.
Kasmir continued, “Overall, the data corresponds to significant demographic shifts across Europe, which, as a region, is witnessing falling birth rates, dwindling populations and an ageing workforce in the majority of states. A great employer has to be aware of all of these issues. For employees, the important factors centre around both trust and engagement. Knowing you can trust your organisation to act ethically and trust your manager to protect your best interests at every stage in your career, whether you are a young person entering the labour market for the first time, pausing to start a family or extending a career beyond retirement.”
Contact: Daniel Baber, Ruder Finn
manpowerpressoffice@ruderfinn.co.uk
+44 (0) 207 462 8900
Notes to Editors
The Great Employer project is composed of two research elements, firstly a quantitative survey looking at work trends amongst jobseekers in the region and secondly amongst a group of leading companies and the International Labour Organisation, looking at what the benefits are to business and what employer’s need to focus on in order to become Great Employers.
The quantitative component – an EMEA work trends survey – was conducted across 15 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK) from June until August 2005. The survey was conducted on-line through a pop-up link on each participating country's Manpower homepage and was managed by International research company, MORI (www.mori.com).
Manpower also spent the last 12 months as part of a qualitative industry research consortium alongside Unilever, Prudential, BT and Zurich Financial Services. The aim of the research was to investigate how employees want to work in the future and the positive impacts of being a Great Employer on staff motivation, engagement, commitment and ultimately business profitability. The findings of the survey, which was validated by the International Labour Organisation, have formed a core part of the overall analysis. Full findings are available upon request from manpowerpressoffice@ruderfinn.co.uk
About Manpower
Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry, offering customers a continuum of services to meet their needs throughout the employment and business cycle. The company specializes in permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment; training; career transition and organizational consulting services. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,300 offices in 67 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 customers per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction, enabling customers to concentrate on their core business activities. In addition to the Manpower brand, the company operates under the brand names of Right Management Consultants, Jefferson Wells, Elan and Brook Street. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.
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