Aussie Job Hunters “Demanding”

Australian job hunters and employees are some of the most demanding in the world, according to a new survey.

The survey, 2012 HR Beat, found that Aussie office workers are requesting not only higher salaries but also a variety of non-financial benefits from their employers, such as flexible working hours and locations, extended leave of absence, free food and massages.

It also revealed that when negotiating a job offer, 86% of Australian candidates asked for benefits beyond what they were originally offered, with the most frequently requested benefit being flexible work.

Higher pay and additional training opportunities followed.

SuccessFactors Head of Human Resources for Asia Pacific and Japan, Mark Souter, said: "Professionals in Australia are living in a candidate's market. Individuals know what they are worth and they are not afraid to ask for what makes them happy and successful.”

According to the survey, almost half of HR professionals in Australia have experienced requests for less traditional job perks.

The top requests included free meals/ drinks (31%), requests for tablets or smart phones for personal use (17%), time off for volunteer work (16%) and free massages (9%).

"Monetary compensation alone is no longer sufficient as Australian employees want, and expect, more from their employers,” Souter said.

“These non-traditional perks are things which can be implemented at relatively little cost, yet can have a significantly positive impact on the business.”

We're already seeing a number of organisations make these investments across various industries.

Other findings of the report include:

• Generation X (aged 33-50) job candidates request higher money and flexible working hours versus any other age group.
• A standard benefits package is no longer cutting it: employees request more job flexibility, vacation time and "upgraded" perks such as free food and massages.
• The Millennial generation (those younger than 33 years old) is looking to fine-tune their skill set. Training and mentoring are the top resources that they seek.
• Despite speculation that the gender gap is shrinking, female employees are still asking for more job flexibility, while men are asking for more monetary benefits.

"This research provides us with an interesting lens into what Australian business leaders should consider when looking at their talent attraction strategy,” Souter said.

“Securing the best staff is no longer a one way process of putting a job offer on the table; employers need to be ready to discuss and negotiate conditions with the candidates they want in their business."

The 2012 HR Beat is a survey of hundreds of HR professionals and hiring managers across Australia.

The survey was commissioned by SuccessFactors and conducted by Dimensional.