Northern Ireland lags way behind both Ireland and Britain in terms of job satisfaction, with nearly a third of people unhappy at their work, a new survey shows.
Just 68% of workers in the region say they are satisfied with their current employer, which compares with 89% and 91% for Britain and Ireland respectively, according to findings in the latest NIJobs hiring trends update, which is released twice a year.
It says a key area impinging on employer and job satisfaction for an employee is the opportunities in current job to apply skills and competencies.
Only two-thirds of Northern Ireland workers are satisfied with this criterion, which compares with 86% and 88% for the UK and Ireland respectively.
The majority (57%) of dissatisfied employees cite there are no opportunities for professional development or further training, which is well above the corresponding rates for Ireland (30%) and the UK (36%).
“The survey provides valuable insight for local employers that employees value and expect professional development and further training opportunities. Those that fail to offer these will struggle to attract or retain talent,” says Richard Ramsey, professor of practice in economics & policy at Queens Business School, who analysed the hiring trends data on behalf of NIJobs.
The research also showed that recruiters continue to face hiring challenges even with a resilient local job market.
It says 72% are unable to match candidates with the right skills. A further 53% believe that the widening gaps and increase in skills requirements are presenting challenges in attracting and hiring the right candidates for roles.
Mr Ramsey added: “Last year was one of out-performance as far as the Northern Ireland economy was concerned, as private sector growth and labour market conditions compared favourably with the rest of the UK.
“This theme has continued with the local economy maintaining this momentum well into 2025. Northern Ireland was the only UK region to record growth over the last 12 months and continues to have the lowest unemployment rate of the 12 UK regions at 2.6%.”
Richard Ramsey, professor of practice in economics & policy at Queens Business School
Businesses locally are currently spending six weeks or longer finding the talent they need. With skills gaps remaining prevalent, this has a knock-on effect in finding the right candidate, with 57% stating they are under time pressure to hire in an already tight labour market.
Alongside obstacles sourcing skilled workers, employers are also facing staff retention issues – more than half (55.3%) admit they have been challenged by candidates receiving counter offers from their current employers.
Candidates now have increased expectations around flexible working and salary, but as operational costs continue to rise, employers may not be able to meet all these demands.
Mr Ramsey continues: “Within a tight labour market employees rather than employers hold the upper hand. Replacing staff can be expensive. Therefore, when a valued staff member seeks to leave, an employer may provide a counteroffer.
“Flexible and hybrid working have subsequently become baked into employees‘ expectations. But increasingly these expectations jar with employers. Some 60% of employers found it a challenge to meet employees’ flexible working expectations over the past six months.”