What We Learned from a 50‑k‑Strong Survey of UK Workers and Employers
When 50,000 people across the UK answered a big survey, a big, shiny Expectation Gap emerged. Employers and employees don’t seem to agree on the same things – salaries, work‑life balance, or Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.
The Salary Show‑down
- Nearly half (46%) of the 2,400 UK respondents are actively hunting a new role.
- For 54% of jobseekers, a higher salary is the biggest reason to move.
- Consequently, 60% of companies say recruiting has been tough this year.
- Almost half (49%) blame mismatched salary expectations as the main barrier.
Balance is the New Boss
- Once you’ve got a job, work‑life balance trumps pay for most people (56% vs 45%).
- More workers (64%) now say they’d decline a promotion to keep their well‑being intact, up from 57% in 2023.
Flexibility – A Mythic Dream?
- 52% see flexibility as crucial when looking for a role – an 8% jump year‑on‑year.
- Still, 32% are working in the office more than before, with 58% forced by new company policies.
- Flex alone won’t win hearts: culture and inclusion remain huge flags.
DE&I on the Shelf?
- Only 39% feel their workplace is truly inclusive.
- 10% report experiencing discrimination.
- Shockingly, 64% of those who faced marginalisation never reported it.
- Age discrimination hits those over 50 and in their 30s the hardest.
What CEOs and Leadership Must Do
Doug Rode, Managing Director UK&I at Michael Page, calls for a clear conversation between employers and employees. “If we hide the truth about salaries or perks, the gap widens.”
Key ideas he shares:
- Speak openly about what your business can realistically offer.
- Keep options flexible—think extra holidays, private medical care, or working from anywhere.
- Make DE&I strategies robust and genuinely inclusive to attract and keep talent.
CEO’s Final Call
Nicholas Kirk, CEO of PageGroup, urges that the world of work remains turbulent. He stresses: “We must bridge expectations and realities with open dialogue and adaptability.”
In a nutshell, listen, adapt, and don’t shy away from talking about the money—just not in a bland way.
