smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Small businesses may be losing out on the most talented employees due to concerns among jobseekers around pay and benefits, research finds.

According to a new survey from recruitment consultant Hays, almost half (49 per cent) of 700 jobseekers surveyed believe salaries are not as competitive as at larger organisations, and more than half (55 per cent) believe smaller businesses are not able to offer as many benefits.

Despite almost three quarters (74 per cent) of people reporting a positive experience of working in smaller businesses, the survey finds that a quarter (25 per cent) would prefer to work for a larger organisation.

More than half (52 per cent) express concerns about the stability of smaller organisations.

However, respondents feel that job satisfaction and interesting work can be found in any size organisation. In addition, a number of positive factors about working for smaller businesses are also identified, such as a more hands-on approach (88 per cent), greater responsibility (83 per cent) and greater understanding of the business as a whole (83 per cent).

Hays director Charles Logan says, ‘In the current turbulent job market it’s no surprise that workers are looking for job security. But we also know that career development is very important to most professionals and this plays a key part in their decision to leave an organisation and accept a new role.

‘To attract the skilled and talented individuals needed to remain competitive, small businesses need to combat some of the stereotypes and ensure professionals are aware of the advantages they can offer workers looking to move their careers on.’

Logan adds that benefits need to be finely tuned to the needs of workers in smaller businesses and that smaller employers need to clearly communicate to potential recruits where their business is heading and the opportunities for future growth.

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