Why do people work?

A recent survey created by Paymentsense found that only 16% of people go to work each day solely for their fondness of their job. From an early age, we are encouraged to follow our aspirations through education and career path. However, 21% of people are in their job to build their career and knowledge.

Chris Marjara believes that businesses have a role to play in developing their employees.

“Another path to retention comes from ensuring training needs are fulfilled, enabling employee self-service, central recording and skills assessments,” said Chris Marjara, CMO, The Access Group.

“All of this data can then be fed directly into performance reviews and appraisals for line management, making the entire process seamless and supportive of an employee’s career aspirations and goals.”

The majority of people work to live with 72% of people listing this reason. Additionally, 50% say they work to support their family, and 50% to pay their mortgage.

The Office for National Statistics revealed in September the “latest estimates show average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in nominal terms increased by 2.9% excluding bonuses, and by 2.6% including bonuses, compared with a year earlier.”

How do businesses encourage employees to work to the best of their ability if money is their sole reasoning behind work?

“We currently have 32 employees and staff turnover is low, the main thing we do every time overshare, we see a kick up in energy, people want to be talked to treated by adults, people benefit from honesty, and they feel part of it,” said Jonathan Richards, CEO, BreatheHR.

“If you have a culture of being transparent, when you get it wrong people pick up on it, which makes it a better culture to work in.”

Although 67% of UK workers did claim that their current role has little to nothing relating to their degree, 74% did state that they were fond of their jobs.

Such a high percentage of workers seem to like their job despite a much lower percentage having a passion for it. This could be due to the recent changes to perks and benefits that are continually being implemented into the workplace, flexible hours, free lunches, and flexible hours are most popular amongst businesses today.

Salary is the key factor when considering a job for people in the UK. A close second was the benefit of having a 20-plus days holiday per year, with 79% of respondents marking this as important. 72% are thinking ahead to retirement. 69% said that flexible working was a significant aspect of a job, suggesting that businesses may want to be sure their flexible-working policies are appealing if they are to attract the right talent.

Benefit packages are an essential factor in motivating staff to come to work every day. So much so that 77% said that a job that offers zero to no perks would be off-putting to them. Additionally, 48% said that 20 days holiday would turn them off a job opportunity.

Lack of career progression was at the top of the list at 19%, pay-cuts, and lack of support from managers are the biggest aspects of work that make people reconsider staying within a business.

“Listening is a vital skill for leaders that can support all these. By actively listening, you show you are interested in colleagues’ thoughts and opinions. This is a type of Recognition and it can build a sense of Pride, helping colleagues give their best at work,” said Julia Lindsay, CEO of iOpener Institute for People and Performance.

The Work-Life Balance – The Tools for Retention revealed that one in five (21%) 25-34s are unhappy with their work/life balance, compared to around one in six 18-24 year-olds (15%), 35-44 year-olds (14%) and 45-54 year-olds (17%). The study finds that just one in 10 (11%) over-55s are dissatisfied with their work-life balance.

“HR leaders must proactively seek to fulfil these expectations and pick a fight against unhealthy working practices. Only by meeting employee expectations for a seamless, collaborative and balanced working experience, will businesses be able to harness their potential,” said Dean Forbes, CEO, CoreHR.

Although it is apparent that many UK workers wake up every morning for the most money and less for a passion for their jobs, employers must be constantly offering more than just the job, through perks and benefits it can help an employee in feeling happy within a business. With most workers also preferring a better work-life balance, it is also important to see to this, constantly making a company a good place to work, that will eventually result in more and more UK workers looking forward to waking up to go to work in the morning.

Louron Pratt