Home > News > August 2006 > 30 August 2006

75% of IT workers are considering changing jobs, claims new survey

According to a new survey by SWNS, a significant proportion of IT professionals are actively considering changing jobs.

The survey, carried out on behalf of online learning provider SkillSoft, suggests that 75 per cent of IT workers go to work wishing they were in another job. 50 per cent of IT managers are either already registered or about to register with a head-hunter or recruitment agency. And 62 per cent of non-managerial IT personnel have an up-to-date CV at the ready.

Both groups admit to checking job websites and job vacancy listings whilst at work. 80 per cent of IT managers and 71 per cent of other IT professionals fall into this category; typically checking them more than once a week.

Over 2,800 employees were interviewed online during June and July 2006 of which 11 per cent (308) work in the IT function.

The findings suggest that those working in non-managerial IT roles are the most dissatisfied of all the professions surveyed, with a third saying that they are either "not happy at all" or "not very happy" at work.

When probed as to the reasons for this, the top answers were:

• "I don't earn enough money" (30 per cent)
• "I'm bored with my job" (23 per cent)
• "The job doesn't use my talents and skills" (18 per cent)
• "The company isn't investing in me by providing proper training" (14 per cent)

The survey also found that only 20 per cent of IT managers believe that their employer recognises their potential.

Mike Emmott, employee relations advisor for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said: "People often don't feel appreciated by their managers. We have found that line managers don't do as well as they could in this area - but recognition is critical for employees."

The survey suggests that given the opportunity, 60 per cent of IT managers and 69 per cent of non-managerial IT staff would jump at the chance to improve their potential and increase their skills.

According to Kevin Young, General Manager of SkillSoft EMEA, investing in IT professionals' training and development could go a long way towards addressing poor job satisfaction and improving productivity as well as making employees feel more valued and appreciated.

"It's interesting to discover that over two-thirds of IT professionals would like the opportunity to increase their skills," he said. "This is an area that could be so easily addressed by employers.

"By investing in developing their employees, organisations can impact on staff retention as well as reaping the benefits of greater productivity."

External link

A management summary of the findings is available in pdf format via the EMEA section of www.skillsoft.com

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