Four in five new hires in 2022 are already looking for new job opportunities

The report also revealed that 40% of employees changed careers since 2020.

The majority of employees in Hong Kong are nixing job loyalty as nine in 10 workers in Hong Kong said they remain open to new job opportunities, Michael Page’s recent study showed.

Eight in 10 of those who started working in 2022 revealed that they are now searching for new work. This is despite 49% of workers polled who said they are satisfied with their work.

With regards to pay, three in 10 workers said they are hit by inflation and 19% still have had no salary raise in the past two years.

“The study suggests that employees are increasingly monetising their time and are unwilling to accept lower pay if they can earn more elsewhere,” read the report.

More than half surveyed will also actively look for new jobs, which means there is increased career proactivity and desire for better opportunities and conditions in the jobs landscape.

Mark Tibbatts, Managing Director of Michael Page Hong Kong & Taiwan, said they found that employees are searching for real human interaction and employers can address this by providing personal interactions during the hiring process.

“In the aftermath of lockdowns and restrictions, people are more eager to interact with others. While technology in the workplace has enabled flexible work arrangements, in-person social connections are gaining a new appreciation as they fulfil a fundamental human social need,” said Tibbatts.

EVP

Based on the findings, Michael Page experts said there should be an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that goes beyond pay and flexibility. 

“It suggests that reflecting worker priorities in an EVP could be a great differentiator when it comes to hiring new staff or retaining existing talent,” the recruitment firm said.

The report advises employers that they should “empathise more with talent's newly empowered position and clearly define training, career development, and the resulting compensation to minimise attrition for new joiners.”

Nicholas Kirk, CEO at PageGroup, said Hong Kong job trends echo the sentiment of the global talent market.

"These are not fleeting trends or reactionary responses to a period of turbulence. Rather, they are reshaping the workplace in a way that will subtly yet fundamentally change the way businesses attract and retain their talent,” Kirk expounds.

The recent study polled 1,042 workers in Hong Kong and indicates a fundamental shift in the workforce's relationship with their jobs, leading to an "Invisible Revolution" characterised by a more transactional approach to work.