Higher salaries do NOT equate to staff loyalty

Analysis of data from 10,000 CVs has shown there is no clear correlation between high salaries and staff retention.

According to the research from Adzuna, it takes UK employees 28 months on average before they get the new job itch.

Top ten job roles employees stay in the longest:

1. Machine Operator – 5 years and 8 months (average salary of £23,576)
2. Shop Manager – 3 years and 6 months (£25,253)
3. Social Care Worker – 3 years and 4 months (£29,804)
4. Cleaner (Casual) – 3 years and 3 months (£16,247)
5. Office Manager – 3 years and 2 months (£33,025)
6. Chief Marketing Officer – 3 years and 1 month (£108,693)
7. Deliver Driver – 3 years (£23,461)
8. Security Guard – 2 years and 11 months (£20,691)
9. Forklift Operator – 2 years 10 months (£21,465)
10. Human Resources Manager – 2 years 8 months (£39,779)

At the other end of the spectrum, the data also explored the roles employees are ditching the quickest.

Top ten job roles employees stay in for the least amount of time:

1. Medical Sales Representative – 11 months (average salary of £37,339)
2. Marketing Assistant – 1 year and 1 month (£28,255)
3. Full Stack Developer – 1 year and 2 months (£55,575)
4. Teaching Assistant – 1 year and 3 months  (£19,200)
5. Waiter/Waitress  – 1 year and 5 months (£22,036)
6. Customer Service Representative – 1 year 5 months (£26,149)
7. Graphic Designer  – 1 year 7 months (£33,177)
8. Receptionist  – 1 year 7 months (£22,695)
9. Kitchen Porter – 1 year 7 months (£18,282)
10. Personal Assistant – 1 year 7 months (£22,379)

Adzuna says the findings suggest it’s not all about salary when it comes to an employee’s length of service. With the majority of the top ten roles keeping staff the longest offering a salary that is actually below the national average.

Additionally, employees in the above national average salary roles such as Full Stack Developer (£55,575) and Graphic Designer (£33,177) are ditching their roles quickly (after one year and five months on average).

When it comes to how to retain staff, YouGov data shows there’s a natural desire for a good salary and benefits among UK employees, with over a third (35%) saying they are looking for a higher salary and one in five (19%) seeking benefits like healthcare, childcare and holiday allowances.

Outside of benefits though, employed Brits said they are looking for a good work life balance (31%), variety in their projects (10%) and the ability to learn from their employers (17%).

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: “Sometimes life can get in the way and changes in circumstance can inevitably force people to move on quicker than expected, but this data gives job hunters a good outline of the roles that have the most longevity.

“In terms of what employers can do to create the best possible working environment for staff, it’s clear from what YouGov can show us that while monetary benefits can help, it’s opportunities for development and progression, as well as a good work/life balance that makes people more inclined to stick around.”