Workers more confident of employment prospects

A recent survey of Irish workers found that attitudes of workers to their employment prospects are improving dramatically.

FRS Recruitment – with offices at Ballybrit Business Park in Galway – polled over 1500 people on how they view their future job prospects, salary and benefits outlook.

The survey split respondents into those who are employed in jobs – but looking for a new role – and those that are unemployed and looking for a job.

Workers from all sectors of the Irish economy and all regions were surveyed and were asked a series of 25 questions around job prospects, the economy and who they feel is best placed to improve it.

In general attitudes to the job market improved with four per cent less of people who are employed having fears for their jobs than in 2013 and workers indicated they felt they would regain employment much more quickly should they lose their job.

Since 2008 when the recession started pay cuts have been a fear of most workers but workers have become more confident with a five per cent increase in those saying they would not consider a pay cut to save their job and six per cent more workers stating they wouldn’t take a reduction in pay or  a reduction in their working week.

When asked what their most important priorities were when considering a new role there has been a shift away from workers focusing on  job security to what would be deemed quality of life issues such as location, career path and the employer brand and workers more inclined in permanent positions to take up contract or short term roles.

Unemployed workers that were surveyed were also found to have improved attitudes toward the jobs market, feeling they would regain employment more quickly than in previous years and also not have to make a complete career change to find employment.