Polish employee’s market in the European lead

[22 July 2019, Warsaw] The majority of Polish employees (64 percent) are satisfied with their employment conditions, and the general situation in the labour market according to a Confidence Index survey conducted in the second quarter of 2019 by Michael Page, a recruitment company. It is the second best result among the group of 14 European countries that have been scrutinised. Also, more than half of the candidates from Poland are convinced that they will succeed in finding a new job within less than one month. What can motivate them to make such a decision? 

The ones who think the situation of their domestic labour market is the best, as well as their individual professional standing, are the Germans (68 percent) – this has been revealed by the cyclical Confidence Index survey conducted in the second quarter of 2019 by Michael Page, a recruitment company. Poles were ranked second with a score of 64 percent, and at the bottom of the ranking list showing the most satisfied workers across Europe came Austria (63 percent). 

“In Poland, the labour market is really favourable for candidates, because today, it is actually the employers who are struggling really hard to attract employees. This means that the expectations towards the workplace are growing. Companies, in turn, are much more inclined to make sure these needs are met. We can assume that in the nearest future the candidates’ standing will be equally strong, or even stronger. According to Poland’s Office for National Statistics (GUS), since April, the unemployment rate has been oscillating at a record low level of approx. 5.5 percent. Also, the European Commission has raised the overall economic prospects for Poland for 2019 and has kept the growth forecast for 2020. This could mean that the demand for employees will most probably be growing on a continuous basis,” says Wojciech Bartz, Senior Executive Manager at Michael Page.

Poles also look to the future with optimism. Of all the surveyed countries, the highest rate of Polish people (almost 80 percent) take a really positive view of their domestic job market. Also, 70 percent believe that within the next six month, the economic situation in Poland will also be in good shape.

“Positive moods also translate into growing demands of candidates. Our study shows that more than a half of the people we surveyed (54 percent) are looking forward to getting a pay rise in the upcoming year. At the same time, 47 percent of our respondents are expecting a promotion. Despite the propitious situation in the labour market, Polish workers attach great value to investing “in themselves”. Eight in ten intend to develop their skills and competencies within the next year, and 55 percent would actually change their job to get the chance to learn new things in another workplace,” adds Mr Bartz.

The current labour market is also favourable for those looking for a new place of work. Most people who took part in the survey (82 percent) believe that finding a new job will take them less than three months. More than a half (51 percent) are convinced that they will need one month to do it. Only one in ten respondents fears that they will have to spend between four and six months to find new employment.

“Most employees (55 proc.) argue that the major reason for their potential decision to change jobs is  the desire to gain additional skills. 35 percent have complained about the lack of prospects for professional growth in their current place of work. Interestingly, we have noticed a drop in the rate of people who are considering changing jobs due to a better pay. In the second quarter of 2019, this reason was brought up by slightly over 39 percent of the people who took part in our survey. For the purposes of comparison, in the first quarter of 2019, 43 percent of respondents provided this answer,” notes Mr  Bartz. 

The Confidence Index study has also revealed that the decision to change one’s present employer could also be influenced by the desire to work in a more ethical company (33 percent), as well as the need to work in place that will help to maintain a more healthy work-life balance (15 percent). 

About the Confidence Index study  – Confidence Index is a cyclical survey carried out by Michael Page which examines the public moods among those looking for a job in selected countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. The study measures the levels of optimism among candidates applying for specialist and managerial positions in relation to the opportunities of finding new employment, the expected duration of the search, the expectations regarding one’s own professional standing, the country’s economic condition, and the underlying reasons that have pushed them to change their place of work. The study is conducted online among the candidates who have responded to a job opening through the Michael Page website.

Michael Page is the global leader in personnel consulting. Established in 1976 in London, the company has offices in 35 countries on 6 continents. It is part of PageGroup, which in Poland includes Michael Page, which recruits specialists and top and middle-level managers, and Page Executive, which searches for top-level managerial staff. Michael Page Poland specialises in recruiting professionals in such areas as: Finance & Accounting, Banking & Financial Services, Sales & Marketing, Property & Construction, Manufacturing & Engineering, Information Technology, and Human Resources. In 2017, the company was recognised as one of the best employers in Poland and Europe and received the prestigious Top Employer award. For more information, please visit www.michaelpage.pl.

Karolina Główczyk, M: 662 182 906 E: [email protected]