More shore-based employees in the shipping industry are concerned with their job security than ever before according to research conducted by maritime jobs specialist Halcyon Recruitment and online training provider Coracle.
The 8th Maritime Employee Survey published yesterday, based on nearly 3,000 responses, found that 63% of participants were concerned about their jobs and that more expected to change jobs in the next 12 months than ever before, up from 49% from last year.
According to the report, 36% of respondents reported a decrease in headcount at their current employers, only 38% of respondents received a salary increase in the last 12 months, down from 47% in the 2015 survey.
The tanker sector fared best with 56% receiving a bonus and 42% a pay increase.
37% of respondents are considering a job change within the next year and a further 25% within two years. 58% believe their job change will come about from moving to a new employer and, of all our survey participants, 64% believe better development opportunities would exist with a different employer. Those in the executive/senior management business areas are the keenest to move on, with 45% likely to consider a move in less than one year. The P&I market is the most stable with only 27% believing they are likely to consider a move in the next 12 months.
“The results this year are unlikely to surprise most, as shipping markets have been, and continue to be, depressed. Save for some short-term improvements, there is no evidence to suggest any notable change on the horizon in the next 12 months. With a severe lack of promotion and advancement opportunities, morale is low and one of the leading reasons for dissatisfaction among employees in their current role,” Halcyon Recruitment ceo, Heidi Heseltine commented on the results.
“With the impact of Brexit still remaining to be seen our participants found that no positives could arise from Brexit. The results revealed that respondents perceive the biggest negative as being the impact of business tariffs on trade between the UK and EU, followed by the potential of employers relocating their business,” Heseltine added.
