Melbourne, 8th November 2006 - An independent research study published by leading Melbourne based recruitment and Human Resource Consulting firm, 1st Executive, suggests that employee engagement rather than industrial relations legislation is the biggest people issue facing employers.

Published today, the 1st Executive inaugural study on “Australians’ Attitudes to Work – The Great Divide”, presents some alarming findings for managers and business owners who are already facing a battle to retain their best people.

“The study reveals that most employers are not demonstrating the skills, the systems and the will they need to keep their best people. This will intensify the problem of skills shortages for many employers ” said Andrew Thoseby of 1st Executive.

The most confronting statistic for employers in the study is that almost 90% of employers and managers believe that around 80% of their workforce will be stable for the next two years while 74% of employees said they would change jobs in that time.  Over 60% of employees believe their career paths would require them to leave their current employer.

“These statistics prove that employees who care about their careers are going to make choices about where they work, in what kind of environment they work and for whom they work” continued Thoseby, “their own choices are making the negative publicity around Work Choices irrelevant, they will vote with their feet” he concluded.

Other major findings of the report reveal:

• Job diversity does not have a major impact on employee retention
• Challenge in a job is a significant factor in employee retention
• Almost 50% of new hires experience a failure from management to provide clear direction within days of commencing a new role.
• 89% of managers say that they conduct performance appraisals at least every twelve months yet 49% of employees have not been appraised in the 12 months.

The research study is available from 1st Executive for $295 including GST.  Survey design and statistical analysis by Aremel Research Pty. Ltd.

For further information, please contact:
Andrew Thoseby
Director
1st Executive Pty Ltd
www.1stexecutive.com.au
P: 03 8617 8100
F: 03 8617 8199