A majority of staff at Irish companies are reporting financial stress, according to a survey by CPL. In its 2025 salary guide, CPL found that some 61 per cent of employees said they felt financially strained.<\/p>\n
In addition, a majority of candidates said they would turn down a new post if it didn\u2019t meet their\u00a0hybrid working\u00a0needs.<\/p>\n
Comprehensive wellbeing programmes are \u201cno longer a luxury\u201d, the recruiter said, \u201cbut a necessity for building a resilient and productive workforce\u201d.<\/p>\n
Against the current economic backdrop and a tight labour market, an overwhelming 84 per cent of employers said they were planning salary increases averaging 3.4 per cent this year.<\/p>\n
However, CPL said it was clear financial incentives alone are no longer a guarantee that firms will be able to attract and retain talent.<\/p>\n
Employees are increasingly prioritising professional development and meaningful work, according to the report, with 85 per cent of professionals citing learning opportunities as critical to their career decisions.<\/p>\n
Five years on from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the report also underlines the enduring popularity of hybrid and remote working arrangements.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur own research shows that 60 per cent of candidates would turn down a new position if it didn\u2019t meet their hybrid working needs,\u201d said \u00c1ine Fanning, chief sales and marketing officer at CPL Ireland<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the dynamic is shifting as we are beginning to see a decrease in fully\u00a0remote\u00a0job postings but also in hybrid. This trend suggests that the future of work in Ireland will require a thoughtful balance to ensure that operational needs align with the flexibility employees value.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Fanning said employers are facing an ever-more complex set of challenges when it comes to filling roles.<\/p>\n
While employment is expected to reach a record 2.77 million people in 2025, the report notes, some organisations are cutting jobs and announcing restructuring programmes.<\/p>\n
It means that employers are facing \u201cincreasing competition for skilled professionals while also balancing workforce expectations and managing headcount and operational costs\u201d, CPL said in the report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"