Salary survey

In recent years, especially post-pandemic, the way we work has seen a significant transformation. The traditional 9-to-5 office job is no longer the only option on the table as the words flexible, remote and hybrid working are now scattered across job descriptions. Our 2023 Salary Survey highlights touches on flexible working trends over the years. In 2023 the option of remote working is almost 50/50, whilst in 2021 over 60% had remote working options. These figures suggest there are fewer remote working opportunities now we’re through the pandemic than in 2021. Out of those that currently have flexible working opportunities, it revealed that only 29.5% had them pre-covid, for the remaining respondents flexible working opportunities have been introduced as a result of the pandemic. Will these keep declining as time goes on? Below discusses the positives and negatives of both full-time office work and working remotely. Full-Time Office Work: Positives: Structured routine: One of the biggest advantages of working in an office is the structured routine it provides. You have set work hours, a designated workspace, and a clear separation between work and personal life. Social interaction: Office work fosters face-to-face interactions, allowing for better collaboration, mentorship opportunities, and networking. These interactions can boost creativity and camaraderie. Professional Development: Being in the office often provides more exposure to senior colleagues and opportunities for skill development. This can accelerate your career growth. Negatives: Commute: commuting can be a major downside, wasting valuable time and adding stress to your daily life. It can also be expensive and detrimental to the environment. Limited Flexibility: Office work often demands strict adherence to office hours, leaving little room for flexibility in managing your personal life and responsibilities. Overhead Costs: Maintaining an office space comes at a cost for both employees and employers. It can be a financial burden for both parties. Remote Working: Positives: Flexibility: Remote working offers the flexibility to set your own schedule, which can be a game-changer for work-life balance. You can tailor your work environment to suit your needs. No Commute: You can say goodbye to the daily commute, saving time and money. This benefits the environment and reduces stress. Cost Savings: Working remotely can lead to cost savings on transportation, work attire, and eating out. This can improve your overall financial situation. Negatives: Isolation: Remote working can be lonely. You miss out on the social interactions and spontaneous conversations that an office environment offers. Distractions: Home environments can be filled with distractions, making it challenging to stay focused and productive. Communication Challenges: Effective communication can be more challenging in a remote setting. Misunderstandings, delayed responses, and issues related to time zones can arise. The choice between full-time office work and remote working is not one-size-fits-all and the food/agri sectors are no exception to this. Due to the nature of many jobs within the industry, they come without the possibility to work remotely – think operatives, farm managers and so on. It’s commendable the industry managed to bring in flexible working and keep it for so many. If you would like to request our full salary survey click here

​Our 2023 Salary & Benefits survey concluded that 25% of respondents have well-being schemes as a workplace benefit. Compared to the 2019 statistic of 16% it's evident that these types of schemes are gaining traction. This suggests that employers are becoming more conscious of employees' mental health, most likely as a result of the pandemic.What is a well-being scheme? A well-being scheme can be anything that involves investing time and resources in supporting employee's physical and mental health. Most businesses will choose an array of schemes to benefit different employee preferences. For example, employees with children may prefer to finish early on a Friday to allow them more family time rather than a free parking space at work. Which in turn, may be a preference for those employees on a lower salary to allow them a higher disposable income. Below are some reasons why businesses should implement well-being schemes if they're not doing so already;​Enhanced Productivity: Employee well-being programs contribute to higher levels of productivity. When employees are physically and mentally well, they are more engaged, focused, and motivated at work. This translates into improved performance and better results for the organisation.Attracting and Retaining Talent: In a competitive job market, offering well-being programs can make your company more attractive to top talent. It not only helps in recruiting but also in retaining skilled employees, reducing turnover and associated costs. Healthcare Cost Reduction: Employee well-being programs can lead to a healthier workforce. Encouraging employees to adopt healthier lifestyles, including exercise and balanced diets, can reduce healthcare costs for the organisation. This is especially pertinent at a time when healthcare expenses are on the rise. Mental Health Support: The focus on mental health has grown significantly, especially in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being schemes that include mental health resources, counselling, and stress management help employees cope with stress and anxiety, ultimately improving their overall well-being. Work-Life Balance: Offering flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and policies that support work-life balance can be integral to employee wellbeing. It allows employees to better manage their personal and professional lives, reducing burnout and increasing job satisfaction. Positive Company Culture: Organisations that prioritise employee well-being tend to have a more positive company culture. This fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie among employees, leading to better teamwork, communication, and collaboration. ​If you'd like to read our salary survey in full, sign up here

​After analysing the results of our 2023 Salary Survey, it was found that 23% of those who have started a new role in the last two years left their previous employer for career progression. It is vital for businesses to set out clear progression paths for their employees. Here’s why: Employee Development and Retention: Career paths provide a clear route for employees to advance within the organisation. When employees see opportunities for growth and progression, they are more likely to stay with the company. This reduces turnover rates, which can be costly for businesses in terms of recruitment and training expenses. Talent Attraction: Companies with well-defined career paths are more attractive to potential hires. Prospective employees are often looking for opportunities for personal and professional development, and a clear career progression framework can be a strong selling point during the recruitment process. Increased Productivity: Employees on established career paths are generally more motivated and engaged in their work. They have a clear understanding of how their current role contributes to their long-term goals, leading to higher job satisfaction and increased productivity. Skill Development: Career paths encourage employees to acquire new skills and knowledge as they work towards their career goals. This continuous skill development benefits both employees and the company by ensuring that the workforce remains competitive and adaptable. Succession Planning: Well-structured career paths allow businesses to identify and nurture talent from within the organisation. This makes succession planning more effective, ensuring that there are qualified individuals ready to step into leadership roles when needed. Improved Morale: Employees who can see a future within the company tend to have higher morale. They feel valued and invested in the organisation's success, which can lead to a more positive work environment and better collaboration among teams. Diversity and Inclusion: Career paths promote diversity and inclusion by offering equal opportunities for advancement. This helps businesses create a more diverse leadership team and workforce, which can lead to better decision-making and increased innovation. ​Cost Savings: Training and developing existing employees to move up the career ladder can be more cost-effective than hiring external candidates for higher-level positions. This can result in significant cost savings for businesses. Employee Engagement: When employees know that their efforts are recognised and rewarded through career progression, they are more engaged and committed to their work. Engaged employees are more likely to go the extra mile and contribute to the company's success. In conclusion, career paths are not just a benefit to employees; they are a strategic advantage for businesses. They help attract and retain talent, boost productivity, and create a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Companies that invest in well-defined career paths for their employees are more likely to thrive and remain competitive in today's business environment.

As a market-leading recruiter, we are always looking to find ways to add more value to our clients and candidates. For several years, we have been running a salary survey with a view to creating some meaningful data and insight into the ever-changing trends and priorities that arise when people are looking to move jobs or hire a new candidate.The information in this report is based on data collected from a survey that ran from April to July 2023 from our full client and candidate databases and shared via our social media channels and website. We have worked with a diverse range of companies over the last 23 years, placing us in the ideal position to collect this information on behalf of the industry. The questions remained similar to our previous surveys but with more focus on benefits and reasons for changing roles.So, take a read of our 2023 report below. We hope you find it useful, let us know what you think!If you'd like the PDF version, you can sign up here and we'll send you it >​​​