Workers anticipate pay rises

More than a quarter of workers expect to get a pay rise in the next year, a new employment survey showed today.

The research from Grafton Recruitment indicated that almost half will not be willing to take a cut in their current salary, while 72 per cent said they have considered leaving the country in search of work.

The survey, which was carried out nationwide last month, found that 30 per cent of respondents received a pay increase in the past year but 40 per cent were not expecting any increase in salary. The majority of those who are willing to decrease their pay said a drop of between 5 and 10 per cent would be acceptable, while only 22.5 per cent would consider a cut of between 10 to 15 per cent.

Of those who considered emigrating, Europe is the top destination, while Australia, Britain and Canada are also popular choices. Close to 60 per cent would consider working in Northern Ireland, it said.

"It really is a sign of the times that 72 per cent of respondents have considered moving abroad in a bid to progress their career. Migrating for work has become part of Ireland's history and so it is of no surprise that Irish workers are not fazed by moving to another country for a number of years," said managing director of Grafton Recruitment in the Republic Cathy McCorry.

"The concern for employers, however, is that a massive exodus of talent leaving Ireland to work in another country will have a significant long-term impact on the Irish labour market. This trend needs to be examined properly and employers and governments need to actively respond to the fluidity of talent and the challenges and opportunities that talent mobility poses for both employers and individuals."