Survey: Two thirds of islanders value work/life balance not salary

Friday 11 May 2018

59% of islanders value a healthy work/life balance over a high salary when looking at potential new employers, according to a new survey by Optimus Recruitment.

The survey found that the salary was at the bottom of the list of considerations for respondents, with only 11% naming it as their top concern.

14% of respondents said their top  factor would instead be a firm’s ability to support career progression, and the people they would be working with.

Over 300 Islanders of all ages and working mostly in financial services, HR, marketing and support services, took part in the survey, which also looked at job satisfaction. Despite 70% being happy in their current role, half of all respondents would still consider moving should a better opportunity arise.

Jamie Guyer, Managing Director of Optimus Recruitment, said: “Technology and the internet have completely changed the job-hunting landscape over the last decade so we felt it was important to see what really matters to candidates now. As recruiters, we have seen a shift in what people value, with most seeking out those firms that will respect their health and wellbeing.

Pictured: Jamie Guyer, Managing Director of Optimus Recruitment.

“Employers invest a considerable amount of time ensuring that their salaries are reflective of employee skill-sets, experience and qualifications, so it is not a surprise that most employees are satisfied on that front. It’s therefore the non-financial components such as future opportunities, healthcare, holidays, and support with studies, that will often shape the outcome of job searches.”

The Optimus Recruitment survey also highlighted the importance of reputation to job-seekers in Jersey. 55% of respondents said that a company’s general reputation carried more weight than the recommendation of a friend or the opinion of industry experts. 

Mr Guyer added: “Different ages approach job hunting in different ways. Millennials are much more ambitious and happy to shop around to get the job that will best align with their needs and goals. To attract them, employers need to know exactly what they are looking for.”