More Than Half of All Workers Believe Switching Employers Is the Key to Career Growth, According to Workplace Survey by Kelly Services(R)

Latest Findings From Kelly Global Workforce Index(TM) 

TROY, MI--(Marketwire - September 25, 2012) - According to workforce solutions provider Kelly Services, more than half (53 percent) of the respondents of the Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI) survey believe that in order to develop their skills and advance their careers, it is more important to change employers, rather than remain with their existing employer. 

The KGWI examines issues of job mobility and career progression as part of a shift to a more autonomous and empowered workforce. Nearly 170,000 people across all generations in 30 countries, including the Americas, APAC and EMEA regions, participated in the current survey. 

In spite of the lingering uncertainty in the economy, more than two-thirds (69 percent) of respondents say that if they did change jobs, they would be in a good position to negotiate a similar or better position. The highest level of confidence is in APAC (72 percent) and the Americas (71 percent), compared with EMEA (65 percent). 

The survey reflects a changing attitude from workers, with more seeking to gain new experiences and skills with multiple employers. 

As a sign of the new sense of self-reliance and autonomy seen in today's workforce, nearly half of all workers (49 percent) say that even when they are happy in a job, they actively look for better job opportunities or evaluate the job market. 

The results also show:

• Almost three-quarters (70 percent) consider work experience with multiple employers to be an asset to their career growth and advancement
• The idea of a 'career-for-life' with one employer is regarded as "relevant" by one-third of respondents (31 percent). This notion of a "one-employer career" is stronger in the Americas (49 percent) than in APAC (29 percent) and EMEA (21 percent). Employees with professional and technical skills are less attracted to the idea of a career-for-life with one employer (28 percent) than other workers (35 percent). 

Complete findings are published in a new report, The Autonomous and Empowered Workforce. For more information about the Kelly Global Workforce Index and key regional and generational findings, please visit the Kelly® Press Room or kellyservices.com.  

About the Kelly Global Workforce Index(tm) 

The Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Approximately 170,000 people from the Americas, APAC and EMEA participated in the survey. Results will be published throughout 2012 on a variety of topics such as employee retention, social media and the highly virtual workplace. Visit kellyservices.com to review findings on the current topic. 

About Kelly Services^® 

Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA) (NASDAQ: KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly^® offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire basis. Serving clients around the globe, Kelly provides employment to more than 550,000 employees annually. Revenue in 2011 was $5.6 billion. Visit kellyservices.com and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Download The Talent Project, a free iPad app by Kelly Services. 

 

Media Contacts:

Asia Pacific
Imran Johri
Kelly Services
+65 6494 6062
Imran_Johri@kellyservices.com.sg

Europe
Tamara Achba
Kelly Services
+41 32 737 1829
Tamara.achba@kellyservices.eu

Americas 
Jane Stehney
Kelly Services
+1 248 244-5630
jane_stehney@kellyservices.com

 

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