Workplace priorities and expectations such as salary and job perks appear to differ significantly across the country, according to new research commissioned by NGA Human Resources.
When asked what they would look for in a job role, 85 percent of Scottish workers said they would opt for salary compared to Londoners, who proved to be the least motivated by money at 76 percent. The survey of 1,500 UK workers highlights the need for companies to consider regional distinctions when developing HR strategies.
Ian Dowd, marketing director at NGA HR, said:
“Our research highlights the differences between employees in London and those elsewhere in the country. There have been some big surprises to us all – which is why employers need to take regional differences seriously. A company with offices in London and Glasgow needs to have the ability to reflect these differences within their HR policy. This flexibility will be key to keeping employees motivated up and down the country.”
When asked what rewards and benefits they expect from their employer, results showed that:
- Welsh workers are the most likely in the UK to demand travel and health insurance (17%)
- Workers based in East Anglia are the least likely in the UK to prioritise training at work (24%, national average 36%)
- London-based workers are the most likely in the UK to seek pension provision (58%) and discount schemes such as gym membership (17%)
- Yorkshire and the Humber-based workers are the most likely in the UK to ask for generous holiday allowance (55%, national average 50%)
Dowd continued:
“This research illustrates how varied regional employees can be. It’s important to take these differences into account when creating and developing your HR strategies to ensure they reflect your workforce’s needs. We would urge employers to engage with employees, on a local level, to find out exactly what they need to stay motivated.”
Steff joined the HRreview editorial team in November 2014. A former event coordinator and manager, Steff has spent several years working in online journalism. She is a graduate of Middlessex University with a BA in Television Production and will complete a Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Westminster in the summer of 2015.
