Undelucram.ro and Sodexo study: The main reasons why employees choose or keep a job

The main criteria that Romanian employees look at when choosing a job are the salary package, professional development prospects, program flexibility, and the possibility to work online, according to a survey conducted in May by Undelucram.ro, the largest community of employees in Romania, in partnership with Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services, the leader of the local fringe benefits market.

Even if the criteria for choosing and keeping a job are mainly related to salary and professional development prospects, Romanians are increasingly paying attention to the impact their work has on society. The study shows that 77% of employees also think about the impact they have from their roles in society, and for 43% of employees, involvement in the community is equivalent to the direct impact of the work they do.

For the survey carried out in May, 2,186 respondents participated who are employed in fields such as IT, retail, financial banking, Business Process Outsourcing & services, telecommunications, consumer goods production, health services, industrial production, HoReCa, production-transport hydrocarbons/energy, scientific/technical services, construction/real estate, media & culture.

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Approximately 24% of employees chose their current job because of the salary package, 17% were motivated by the prospects for promotion and professional development, 16% appreciated the flexibility of the program, and another 16% the possibility to work online. Also, 11% of employees chose their current job for the field in which the company operates, and the same percentage for the impact that the current job has. Almost 10% of employees chose their workplace based on the company’s brand, and 8% based on managers and colleagues.

Around 28% of respondents would change their current job if they received an offer that may include extra-salary benefits such as a meal card, gift/vacation vouchers, or insurance, and 22% of employees would do so for better opportunities promotion or professional development.

About 13% of employees would change their job for one that offers more flexibility or one that has meaning for them and a beneficial impact on society. Around 7% of employees would like another job because of the very high volume of work and to stop working overtime, 7% would like to become entrepreneurs, and 6% would like to have another manager.

17% of employees stay at their current job because of the team

The salary package is the main aspect that causes 19% of Romanian employees to stay at a job, while 18% are motivated by the fact that they have a stable job. On the other hand, 17% stay at the same job because of the team they work with, and 16% value the fact that they have a balance between career and free time. Around 11% of employees stay at their current job for the recognition they receive from the team, 9% for the impact their work has on society, 8% for professional development prospects, and another 8% for projects in which are involved.

The impact of work in society is increasingly relevant for Romanian employees

For a good part of the respondents (43%), involvement in society means feeling that their work has a positive impact on the community they belong to. Around 23% of employees feel they get involved in society when they donate money or other products to individuals or associations, while 13% feel they make a contribution when they volunteer.

If they had to choose strictly between the salary package and the impact of their work on society, 18% of employees would choose a job based on their impact. Also, 48% of employees would not accept a lower salary for a job with a greater social impact.

“The increase in prices, inflation, and the dynamics of the labor market reflect on the priorities of Romanian employees. The main motivating factor to choose and stay at a job is the salary package, which is all the more attractive as it has a more competitive offer of extra-salary benefits. We also observe an important concern of people regarding the impact their work has on society”, explained Costin Tudor, founder, and CEO of Undelucram.ro.

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“Romanian employees will be more motivated to stay at a job if they are satisfied with the salary package, but aspects such as the employer’s concern for their well-being at home and at work, the team they work with, the stability of the job and the balance between free time and career are equally relevant. In addition, more and more employees value the feeling that work is meaningful to them or that it has a positive impact on society. So, beyond financial rewards, employees need a work environment where they feel that their work matters, that they can work well in a team, and that they can have enough time for their personal lives”, said Manuel Fernandez Amezaga, Chief Executive Officer at Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services Romania & Bulgaria.