Accenture bares results of study on work satisfaction

MANILA, Philippines - More than half of female business professionals around the world – and a similar percentage of their male counterparts – report that they are dissatisfied with their jobs. At the same time, however, a significant number plan to stay with their companies and create new opportunities, according to new research from Accenture.

The research, which surveyed more than 3,400 professionals in 29 countries, compared responses of equal numbers of women and men and found that fewer than half (43 percent of women and 42 percent of men) of all respondents are satisfied with their current jobs, but nearly three-quarters (70 percent of women and 69 percent of men) plan to stay with their companies.

However, Philippine respondents differed significantly from their global counterparts. Most of them (80 percent) are dissatisfied with their jobs and are willing to seek better opportunities elsewhere (56 percent of women and 82 percent of men).

The study, which was conducted as part of Accenture’s 2011 celebration of International Women’s Day, found that overall, the top reasons for respondents’ dissatisfaction are: being underpaid (cited by 47 percent of women versus 44 percent of men); a lack of opportunity for growth (36 percent versus 32 percent); no opportunity for career advancement (33 percent versus 34 percent); and feeling trapped (29 percent versus 32 percent). Despite this, more than half of respondents (59 percent of women and 57 percent of men), say that, this year, in an effort to enhance their careers, they will work on developing their knowledge and/or a skill set to achieve their career objectives.

Philippine-specific findings indicated that the Filipino workforce is looking for better compensation, benefits and work-life balance. Philippine employers would do well, therefore, to focus on efforts addressing these three key employee retention and engagement drivers.

“Employers need to work with its employees to find opportunities for them to grow both on a professional and personal level. That is why Accenture, in addition to the numerous training programs made available, encourages our more than 21,000 employees in the Philippines to participate and play active roles in various internal special interest clubs and activities,” country managing director Manolito Tayag said.

Despite a low job satisfaction, 65 percent of the Philippine workforce surveyed want to increase their knowledge and develop their skills sets. More than half of the respondents also consider career planning a major priority this year. In fact, 60 percent of respondents are still not satisfied with their current career levels and 15 percent target to hold C-level positions in the future.

According to Adrian Lajtha, chief leadership officer at Accenture. “Today’s professionals are not job hunting, despite expressing dissatisfaction. Instead, they are focused on their skill sets and on seeking the training, the resources and the people that can help them achieve their goals. Leading companies should support these efforts by listening to employees and providing them with innovative training, leadership development and clearly-defined career paths.”