That pay and benefits are important to workers is no news flash. A primary reason we take jobs is to generate enough income for food, clothing, shelter, financial security and life’s frills.
But how well one is compensated ranks far from the most relevant factors in how employees feel about their workplaces, according to a survey by Workplace Dynamics of the staffs of participating employers.
Employees were presented with 18 statements, divided into six categories, and were asked how important each was as a factor in rating their companies. Their answers formed the basis for recognizing the top workplaces in metro Atlanta.
The categories, in alphabetical order:
● Career opportunities and advancement.
● Direction of the company.
● Execution of its business.
● Managers.
● Pay and benefits.
● Work conditions.
Three-fourths of the respondents, more than in any other category, indicated that a company’s direction is critical in how they grade their employer.
The statements dealt with whether the organization is going in the right direction (70 percent), confidence in the leader (67 percent) and if it operates by strong values and ethics (66 percent).
Execution was the next highest emphasized subset, at 71 percent overall. Sixty-three percent of employees said it is important that senior managers understand what is happening and if things are done efficiently and well, while 58 percent placed emphasis on being well-informed on key decisions.
Workplace conditions, at 70 percent overall, ranked just below execution. Feeling genuinely appreciated resonated with 68 percent of respondents. Having a low level of frustration came in at 51 percent, and flexibility to balance work and personal life at 50 percent.
On the next lowest rung was career advancement and opportunities at 69 percent overall. Employees’ confidence in their future scored 65 percent, opportunities to learn and grow 58 percent and availability of the necessary formal training 54 percent.
Respondents said their managers, at 62 percent overall, were not as significant as most other factors. Confidence in their managers drew 59 percent in importance, followed by managers listening to them (57 percent), managers making the job easier (55 percent) and comfort in being truthful with the boss (51 percent).
Pay and benefits, at 47 percent overall, proved the least critical determinant on employees judging their companies. Being paid fairly registered 45 percent and having a benefits package comparable to the industry 31 percent.
Presented the findings, Mike Pitcher, CEO of LeasePlan USA, indicated they were what he might expect.
“Given the past two years and a recession that has one out of 10 Americans out of work, the top choices don’t really surprise me,” Pitcher said. “There is a common thread here of belonging to an organization that you feel is heading in the right direction, and that you feel has some job security. I believe confidence in the leader has to do with the same type of concern.”
Regarding the relatively low emphasis on pay and benefits, Pitcher said, “I think once we get the position, pay and benefits negotiated, then people immediately start to search for some value in what they do. ... Money is not what drives people.”
The figures were compiled from answers by nearly 43,000 employees at 166 metro Atlanta companies. Only invited firms who had at least a 35 percent response rate were included.
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