Money can’t buy you happiness- HR pros

HR pros vote job satisfaction as more important than financial reward

HR professionals value job satisfaction as the most important aspect of their working life, according to employment agency Reed’s annual HR Salary Guide and Market Insight report.

The research showed that a full 38 per cent of HR professionals identified job satisfaction as the most important part of working.

Job satisfaction is, obviously, a fairly vague umbrella term and covers everything from enjoying the company of your co-workers to having the opportunity to climb the career ladder.

Senior career advisor Mark Bania said “frequent recognition, merit bonuses, training programs and clearly defined career paths” are all important factors of achieving work satisfaction.

Coming in close behind job satisfaction, a good work-life balance took 31 per cent of the votes.
HR technology provider Cornerstone OnDemand revealed that two-thirds of workers have experienced “too much work” in 2014 and the majority said it was only getting worse.

Leadership development firm ClearRock predicted 2015 would be the year organizations focused their efforts of improving work-life balance and relieving employees’ sense of being overwhelmed.

Somewhat surprisingly, only 17 percent of HR professionals said a combo of good salary and benefits was the most important aspect of their role. 

While pay not be everything to HR professionals, the report did reveal some pleasing financial information – apparently, people working in HR are the most likely to get a bonus.

Out of the 11 industries surveyed, 28% of HR professionals received a bonus in the 12 months from October 2013, compared to a national average of 2%.

More like this:

Tech jobs take top paid spots of 2015

How to be strategic about financial incentives

Six ways to engage your most valuable employees