Over half Laois workers expect pay rise this year

ALMOST half of Laois workers who took part in a survey say they fear for their job security and 54 per cent would consider a pay cut if their job was at risk.

However, four in every five workers surveyed in the county believe they could find a new job within three months, which is above the national average of 70 per cent.

The figures are revealed in the annual FRS Recruitment Employment Insights Report, which has just been published. FRS Recruitment, which has a branch at The CUBE in Portlaoise, has conducted the research every year since 2009, to help gauge the job market outlook for both employees and employers. A total of 1,987 people took part this year through the agency’s 10 offices nationwide.

Just over half or 53 per cent of workers surveyed in Laois expect to get a salary increase this year. Seven out of 10 would be willing to change jobs for a salary increase of 20 per cent or less, while 63 per cent believe their salary fairly reflects their current role. A total of 47 per cent say they fear for their job security.

Five out of eight local employees have been asked to spend more days in the office over the past year, compared with two in three nationally.

Nine out of 10 Laois employers are concerned about the current economic outlook, ahead of the national average of 72 per cent. Just over six in 10 (62 per cent) local employers say they are less likely to hire this year if the US imposes additional tariffs that apply to Ireland.

Concerns about the economy are also shared by the wider public in Laois, with more than one-third (35 per cent) believing the economy will remain at full employment for only another year or less.

Eight out of 10 employers say they had difficulty securing new talent in Laois this year, while two out of five report that more employees have been looking to change jobs in the last 12 months.

FRS Recruitment general manager Lynne McCormack said, “There is certainly a significant number of people in Laois and around the country who expect to receive a salary bump this year. This isn’t a new development, as there has been pressure on salaries over several years now, in light of the rising cost of living and the general health of the economy.

‘There’s a significant portion of people in Laois who feel secure in their jobs. Most also believe that if they were to lose their job in the morning, they could quickly source an alternative. These are some of the factors that are giving them the confidence to expect better remuneration.

‘However, what is different is that this outlook isn’t being matched on the employer side. While most employers in Laois do plan to offer their staff a small wage raise this year, it is questionable whether this would be enough to meet staff expectations.

‘That could create a considerable amount of movement in the market, given how many people say they will change jobs for a 20 per cent raise or less. Most employers in Laois and around the country are already acknowledging they are facing challenges finding the right staff, with salary expectations being a key factor.

‘It is also notable that Laois-based employers are taking a less favourable view of the broader economic conditions, with concerns about the general outlook growing and the potential impact of US tariffs also likely to influence the number of job opportunities coming to market.’