What's Troubling Tech Pros At Work?

Nearly Half of Information Technology Workers Surveyed Point to Lack of Advancement as Top Job Frustration

TORONTO, Oct. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - In today's competitive hiring environment for technology professionals, how can executives retain their top talent? Keep them engaged with a defined career path, achievable goals and training opportunities, suggests a new Robert Half Technology survey. Forty-five per cent of information technology (IT) workers polled said being stuck in a job with few opportunities for professional advancement would cause them the most frustration on the job. Closely following were an unmanageable workload (43 per cent) and limited ability to learn new skills (39 per cent).

The survey, developed and conducted by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis, includes responses from more than 2,300 IT workers in North America.

Technology professionals were asked, "In general, which three of the following situations would cause you the most frustration on the job?" Their responses:*

Few opportunities for advancement	45%
Unmanageable workload	43%
Few opportunities to learn new skills	39%
Don't feel empowered to make decisions	37%
Don't see eye-to-eye with manager	37%
No acknowledgement for good work	33%
Unrealistic expectations from end users/customers	30%
Cross departmental conflicts	23%
Other	3%

* Multiple responses were allowed.

"The technology sector today is fast-changing and constantly evolving," said Deborah Bottineau, Senior Regional Manager of Robert Half Technology "A competitive salary is one way to attract top IT talent, but they might keep looking over the fence. A comprehensive compensation package that includes professional development opportunities for IT workers to acquire new skills and stay relevant in the market, and advance their careers is the way to retain them."

Robert Half Technology offers five strategies for executives to retain their valued technology employees:

1. Tip the pay scales in your favor. Pay always plays a large role in job satisfaction, and bonuses show appreciation for a job well done. Robert Half Technology's 2015 Salary Guide can be a useful resource for tracking pay rates in your city.
2. Carve dual paths. Provide well-defined career paths for tech professionals, including alternative paths for those who don't aspire to management but are strong individual contributors.
3. Strike a balance. Perks that promote work-life balance, like telecommuting or flexible schedules, can provide a big boost in job satisfaction.
4. Avoid burnout. When you know your IT team is working at capacity, be proactive about finding ways to help them better manage their workloads - hire IT consultants, for example, or put non-essential projects on hold.
5. Cut the red tape. Keep a motto of less structure, more innovation. Make it a point to keep bureaucracy to a minimum when it comes to your tech team.

About Robert Half Technology

With more than 120 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at rht.com. Follow Robert Half Technology at twitter.com/RobertHalfTech or visit our technology blog at blog.rht.com.

Image with caption: "What Frustrates Tech Pros at Work? (CNW Group/Robert Half Technology)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141015_C7605_PHOTO_EN_43025.jpg

SOURCE: Robert Half Technology

Naz Araghian
416.350.2330 ext. 62132
[email protected]