Company culture no longer a core priority 

HR and payroll specialist SD Worx examined what employees in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the UK consider important in the context of their work.

On the topic of wages, findings show that 28 percent of UK employees feel as though they are able to comfortably negotiate or ask for a pay rise.

Similarly, transparency with employee rewards is also a key motivator in the UK, with nearly half (45 percent) highlighting the ability to know everything their employer offers as part of the overall remuneration package (salary, benefits, leave, etc.) as being very important.

Whilst employee wages hit the top spot on the list of employment priorities, it seems as though workers also have a strong focus on job security.

With furlough having been extended until the end of April, many employees are considering expanding their skills in order to adapt to wider roles and increase the chances of maintaining a job in the current climate.

The research also finds that company culture and vision and policy in the workplace have become less of a priority, coming 11th and 12th place respectively.

Cathy Geerts, chief HR officer at SD Worx, said: “With insights like this and the right HR processes and adaptive technology in place, businesses will be able to understand what measures need to be implemented, with an aim of improving the employee experience, job security and retention. After all, it is the workforce that ensure the continuity of any business. So making sure the expectations and needs of employees are met should always be front of mind.”