More than half the respondents to a recent Bayt.com poll claimed they actively search for job opportunities while being employed, and45 per cent of people in a separate poll said they would switch jobs if offered a higher compensation package.
A total of1,794 respondents, the majority based in the UAE and the Gulf, participated in the surveys. Of the269 UAE respondents,61 per cent admitted to looking for better prospects and in Bahrain,67 per cent of the292 respondents did the same.
“In today's business environment, it is imperative that organisations learn to attract, motivate and retain the key talent needed to meet aggressive business goals. Committed employees are more productive and work with a focus on quality to increase customer satisfaction and the profitability of their organisation,” said Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com.
“While money certainly plays a part in reinforcing employee commitment, it's clearly not enough in today's work environment. Studies have shown that praise and recognition tend to build employee loyalty. People want to feel that they make a difference.”
A third poll, attracting721 professionals, revealed that more than30 per cent had been headhunted by competitor companies and recruitment agencies across the region.35 per cent of UAE employees and31 per cent in Kuwait said they had been approached in the last three months.
Ataya added: “Because jobs are so plentiful, there is a shortage of skilled and experienced candidates on the market for virtually every type of employment. Paying more for candidates with experience is sometimes considered more profitable than investing in training.”
He said: “Head-hunters are always looking to increase their pool of qualified candidates and discontented employees are their most frequented resource. This is why becoming an employer of choice by retaining high-caliber employees in today's market should be the highest priority.”
HR professionals will also need to adapt to the diverse and sometimes complex demands of a company’s workforce, according to Ataya.
He added: “Investing time and effort in employee motivation, training, annual reviews, reward systems and other programmes designed to boost satisfaction for deserving employees is essential.”
The surveys were conducted online at the Bayt.com site between November2006 and January2007.
Founded in2000, Dubai-based Bayt.com has offices in10 regional cities - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Doha, Manama, Kuwait City, Amman and Karachi.
Bayt.com has a database of more than1.3 million users, mostly from around the GCC but also the wider Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe, and more than25,000 employers.