Survey shows Hungarian workers want more meaningful careers ahead of pay and promotion
March 02, 2009 - Among Hungarian workers surveyed, more than a third are prepared to accept a lower wage or a lesser role if their work contributes to something more important or meaningful, according to a new international workplace survey.
The survey, by global workforce solutions company Kelly Services, found that 38 per cent of people will forego income or status to do something more meaningful, with baby boomers (48-65 year olds) the most willing to make such a sacrifice.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index sought the views of nearly 100,000 people in 34 countries including more than 5,000 in the Hungary.
Kelly Services - Aniko Jonas, Managing Director of Kelly Services Hungary Ltd. - says a significant number of people are actually prepared to give up some of their salary and their position if they can do something that is important to them and their organization.
"They place value on work which is personally satisfying, which builds competence and self-belief, and which helps to advance long term career goals," Jonas says.
The survey demonstrates the value of work in building pride and self confidence, and highlights the differing views across the generational divide.
Amongst the key findings of the survey:
- 43 per cent of Gen Y (18-29) say their career goals are not being advanced in their current job.
- 63 per cent of Gen X (30-47) plan to look for a new job within the next year.
- 40 per cent of baby boomers are prepared to forego salary and position for more meaningful work.
The findings reveal that baby boomers are more unsettled by their career choices and prospects than the other generations.
Across all the generations, females are more concerned than males at their career choices and future prospects. Males are more likely to look for new jobs within the next year.
While many survey respondents have reservations about the real value of their work, the vast majority perform their tasks to high personal standards. A total of 73 per cent say that the work they perform gives them a sense of pride while 65 per cent say it raises their self-confidence.
Aniko Jonas says the findings highlight the importance of employers helping to bring out the best in their workforce by tailoring work that is engaging, stimulating and which encourages people to learn new skills.
"Employees' aspirations will change markedly over the course of a career so it is important to recognise the things that are important at each stage in order to build and maintain a motivated, stable and high-performing workforce," Aniko Jonas concludes.
Media Contact:
Jónás Anikó
Managing Director
email: ajonas@kellyservices.hu
tel: 06-1/354-2770
About the Kelly Global Workforce Index
The Kelly Global Workforce Index is a survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Results of the current findings from across Kelly's global operations in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific will be published throughout 2009 in a series of six releases.
About Kelly Services
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a world leader in human resources solutions headquartered in Troy, Michigan, offering temporary staffing services, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement to clients on a global basis. Kelly provides employment to nearly 650,000 employees annually, with skills including office services, accounting, engineering, information technology, law, science, marketing, creative services, light industrial, education, and health care. Revenue in 2008 was $5.5 billion. Visit www.kellyservices.com