Vast majority of people in Kilkenny expect to receive pay rise in the next 12 months - new survey

The vast majority of people in Kilkenny (69%) expect to receive a pay rise in the next 12 months, according to a new survey conducted by FRS Recruitment, one of Ireland’s leading recruitment agencies.

The survey also found that more than six out of 10 people in Kilkenny (60%) would move jobs for a salary increase of 25% or less, while one in three (33%) feel their salary does not fairly reflect their current position. 

Over half the people across the county (57%) believe they are more likely to progress in their career by changing jobs than by staying with their employer and 7 out of 10 (70%) believe they could secure a new job in three months or fewer.

Some 43% of Kilkenny people also believe there are more job opportunities available in 2023, while 42% of people in Kilkenny fear for their job security, while 53% would consider a pay cut if their job was at risk.

The rising cost of living has also affected the employment market in Kilkenny, with three out of four employers (76%) saying it has impacted on their recruitment outlook. Additionally, one in three local employees (35%) say they are trying to work more in the office to keep their personal power/ heating costs down. 

There are also some other notable statistics concerning employers based in Kilkenny. More than three out of four local employers (76%) say they have seen an increase in workforce attrition this year and one in four (28%) believe salary is the main driver of that attrition.

Over half of employers in the county have been pressing their employees to spend more time in the office this year and just over half (52%) say they have noticed a decrease in job applications in 2023. 

When it comes to considering new positions, 83% of people in Kilkenny noted that the lack of salary information on a job ad had put them off from applying for a role. 

Speaking about the survey, Lynne McCormack, General Manager of FRS Recruitment said: “This survey provides a wide-ranging picture of the main trends across the employment market in Kilkenny and around the rest of the country. It shows how a number of issues are impacting the local market, from technology to cost of living and from job security to salary concerns.

“The data highlights the role cost of living concerns are playing in recruitment in Kilkenny and how this is putting pressure on salary expectations. A majority of people in Kilkenny expect to receive a wage increase in the next 12 months, which is important information for employers. Of even greater concern to local businesses will be the significant numbers who are prepared to move jobs for a salary increase of 25% or less, as well as the portion of the local workforce who believe they are not receiving the salaries they deserve.

“The level of confidence in the Kilkenny employment market is also illustrated in the high numbers who believe they would quickly find a new role, as well as the portion of the local workforce who are of the opinion there are more job opportunities available to them this year. These are all signs of strong local recruitment prospects being available in Kilkenny.

“Also of interest are the number of local people who believe their role will be impacted or replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the future. With so much chatter about this topic over recent months, some level of concern is to be expected, but it is certainly an area that employees and employers in Kilkenny will be mindful of in future, carefully watching how this area of technology evolves in the coming months and years.

“The survey also highlights the increasingly fluid employment market we are seeing in Kilkenny and around the country as the economy moves effectively to full employment. This is creating expectations and awareness amongst employees and candidates which employers will need to keep in mind if they wish to secure their current workforce, or if they are seeking to add new personnel to their teams,” Ms McCormack concluded. 

FRS Recruitment is one of the leading recruitment businesses operating in Ireland.  They have 11 offices nationwide, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan and Portlaoise. A 100% Irish business, FRS Recruitment is part of the FRS Network – the social enterprise co-operative.