The labour market in Western Australia presents a unique dynamic as 2024 progresses. With active job seekers representing a substantial 78% of the market, competition for available roles is robust. Despite a steady unemployment rate of 4.0%, the region has seen a 3.0% drop in annual job advertisements, indicating softening demand in some sectors.
Employers continue to offer a variety of employment types, with 73% of online job vacancies being full-time, while part-time, casual, and contract roles collectively account for the remaining 27%. Although this decline in job ad volume may point to cooling demand, Western Australia continues to offer a stable job market, particularly for those seeking full-time opportunities.
For employers, this creates a candidate-driven market where active job seekers dominate, yet sourcing skilled talent in specific sectors may remain a challenge amidst shifting economic conditions.
Upon extending an offer, hiring managers must transition swiftly into a proactive engagement strategy. This entails maintaining open lines of communication with the new hire, providing insight into the company culture, and fostering a sense of belonging even before their official start date. By involving them in relevant discussions, introducing key team members, and offering resources for personal and professional development, managers can instill a strong sense of anticipation and commitment.
Vigilance against potential counteroffers is equally critical. Research indicates that many employees reconsider their decisions during the notice period, especially when confronted with lucrative counteroffers. To preempt such scenarios, hiring managers should maintain candid conversations with the new hire, addressing any concerns or reservations promptly.
Due to talent shortages, many employers might consider counteroffering to retain key staff, adding a new layer of complexity to the recruitment process. To avoid any surprises, all hiring managers undertaking a recruitment process must have a clear understanding of candidates' key reasons for leaving their current role, as well as how they would react in the case of a counteroffer
Upon extending an offer, hiring managers must transition swiftly into a proactive engagement strategy. This entails maintaining open lines of communication with the new hire, providing insight into the company culture, and fostering a sense of belonging even before their official start date. By involving them in relevant discussions, introducing key team members, and offering resources for personal and professional development, managers can instill a strong sense of anticipation and commitment.
Vigilance against potential counteroffers is equally critical. Research indicates that many employees reconsider their decisions during the notice period, especially when confronted with lucrative counteroffers. To preempt such scenarios, hiring managers should maintain candid conversations with the new hire, addressing any concerns or reservations promptly.
In 2024, career opportunities emerged as the most significant factor driving retention, with a close focus on training and development, management support, and trust. While hiring managers and employees largely agree on the importance of financial benefits, the biggest disconnect lies in their views on training and development. Employees prioritize career growth and learning opportunities, while managers may underestimate their value. This gap highlights the need for organizations to bridge the divide and align retention strategies with employee expectations.
Moreover, factors such as work-life balance, flexible working, and the sense of purpose in work continue to play a vital role in retention. Company culture, job security, and mental health support remain consistent priorities, reflecting the increasing emphasis on holistic employee well-being. While environmental contributions and community engagement rank lower on the list, they still hold value for a significant portion of employees. As retention strategies evolve, understanding these trends can help organizations stay ahead in attracting and retaining top talent.
Talent retention remains a top priority for organizations in today’s competitive job market. With evolving workforce dynamics, understanding what matters most to employees and job seekers is critical for employers to develop strategies that foster loyalty and engagement. Exploring key retention levers, including career opportunities, management support, and work-life balance, reveals how companies can better align their efforts with employee priorities to create meaningful workplace experiences.
In 2024, career opportunities emerged as the most significant factor driving retention, with a close focus on training and development, management support, and trust. While hiring managers and employees largely agree on the importance of financial benefits, the biggest disconnect lies in their views on training and development. Employees prioritize career growth and learning opportunities, while managers may underestimate their value. This gap highlights the need for organizations to bridge the divide and align retention strategies with employee expectations.
Moreover, factors such as work-life balance, flexible working, and the sense of purpose in work continue to play a vital role in retention. Company culture, job security, and mental health support remain consistent priorities, reflecting the increasing emphasis on holistic employee well-being. While environmental contributions and community engagement rank lower on the list, they still hold value for a significant portion of employees. As retention strategies evolve, understanding these trends can help organizations stay ahead in attracting and retaining top talent.
To remain competitive, many employers emphasize flexibility, career growth opportunities, and strong company reputations to attract candidates. However, job seekers’ expectations around returning to the office vary widely, with many requiring significant incentives, such as pay rises, to give up flexible arrangements. Additionally, timing plays a critical role, as over half of job seekers expect work flexibility to be available from their first day in a new role.
Work-from-home preferences reveal that most employees desire a hybrid model, balancing office presence with remote work. While some teams adopt shared anchor days in the office, others implement tailored individual flexibility arrangements. Employers who fail to adapt risk resignations, as flexibility continues to be a driving force in job satisfaction and decision-making for modern professionals.
Flexibility in the workplace has become a critical factor in attracting and retaining top talent. As employers navigate the challenges of balancing operational needs with employee expectations, understanding the dynamics of flexibility preferences is essential. Key considerations include competing against roles offering greater flexibility, how work-from-home arrangements influence job decisions, and the timing of access to flexibility when starting a new job.
To remain competitive, many employers emphasize flexibility, career growth opportunities, and strong company reputations to attract candidates. However, job seekers’ expectations around returning to the office vary widely, with many requiring significant incentives, such as pay rises, to give up flexible arrangements. Additionally, timing plays a critical role, as over half of job seekers expect work flexibility to be available from their first day in a new role.
Work-from-home preferences reveal that most employees desire a hybrid model, balancing office presence with remote work. While some teams adopt shared anchor days in the office, others implement tailored individual flexibility arrangements. Employers who fail to adapt risk resignations, as flexibility continues to be a driving force in job satisfaction and decision-making for modern professionals.
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