Half of West Midlands workers on look out for new job

One in five (21 per cent) of workers in the region are already actively job hunting, according to new research from Investors in People.

The findings are highlighted in its Job Exodus Trends 2016 report, which shows that a third of employees in the region (32 per cent) say they are unhappy in their jobs.

Long hours and uncertain futures are causing misery for workers in the area.

One in four are complaining of high workloads (24 per cent) and more than a quarter (26 per cent) are concerned by a lack of career progression.

Unsatisfactory pay was also cited as a reason why 30 per cent employees were unhappy in their current roles.

The survey also asked respondents to choose between two scenarios – a three per cent pay rise, in line with recent UK increases, or a different non-remuneration benefit and 37 per cent said they would prefer a more flexible approach to working hours than the rise.

Over a quarter (26 per cent) said they would rather their employer invested in their training and development more and one in five (22 per cent) said they would rather have a clear career progression route.

Paul Devoy, head of Investors in People, said: "Improved salaries over recent months means that pay is less of a gripe for UK workers.

"But longstanding issues around poor management and how valued people feel in their work continue to make UK workers miserable.

"We know that bad leadership alone costs the UK £39 billion a year.

"If employers addressed these factors, they would have a more committed workforce and far fewer resources tied up in constant recruitment drives.

"As the economy improves, many employers run the risk of losing their valuable, skilled staff."