Why Confidence Is Falling for IT Workers
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Big Picture
The overall Employee Confidence Index among IT workers declined to 57.4 in the fourth quarter of last year, compared to 61.7 in the third quarter. -
Declining Impressions
41% of surveyed IT workers feel the economy is getting stronger, down from 43% who felt this way the prior quarter. -
Employment Options
Just 32% of those surveyed said there are more jobs available now than in the recent past, as opposed to 38% who said there were more jobs available in the third quarter of 2014. -
Fleeting Faith
49% expressed confidence in the future of their employer, a decline from 62% in the prior quarter. -
Secure Position
60% said they're not likely to get laid off within the next 12 months, compared to 67% in the prior quarter. -
Market Assessment
52% expressed confidence from their ability to find a new job over the next 12 months, which is down from 56% in the third quarter. -
Exit Plan
41% plan to seek new employment opportunities over the next 12 months, which is roughly the same as in the prior quarter. -
He Said/She Said
54% of male IT workers are confident in the future of their current employer, compared to just 26% of female tech employees. -
Generation Gap
Nearly six out of 10 tech workers the age of 34 or younger said they're likely to look for a new job within the next 12 months, as opposed to just 30% of those between the ages 35 and 44 and 38% of those between the ages 45 and 54.
Overall confidence among IT workers has noticeably declined since the middle of 2014, according to recent survey findings released by Randstad Technologies. Contributing factors include a lack of conviction about prospects for the overall national economy, as well as increasing reservations among tech professionals about their employers' future. And while these employees said there are relatively fewer job opportunities available now than in the recent past, a significant amount plan to test the job waters over the next year. Such findings should serve as a caution for CIOs, who need to stay on top of workforce engagement levels to ensure that valued contributors stay for the long haul. "Although overall confidence levels declined this quarter, the labor market conditions for IT workers and job seekers was arguably at the healthiest levels we've seen in quite some time," said Bob Dickey, group president of technology and engineering at Randstad. "What should be most concerning for employers is a diminished level of confidence (within) the IT workforce (about) the future of their company. In a profession where innovation and remaining 'cutting' edge is fundamental to career growth, IT workers (who) aren't confident that their current employer holds a competitive edge will likely seek employment elsewhere." An estimated 190 IT workers took part in the research.
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