Workers open to trade pay hike for flexible work hours

About 93 per cent of the respondents possibly or definitely plan to ask for a pay rise in the coming appraisal cycle for 2018, with women more likely to ask for a rise than men, reveals findings of a wage growth survey published by job search portal Indeed. According to the survey findings, 67 per cent of all women respondents confirmed that they would be asking for a pay rise in comparison to 64 per cent of men. While this is indicative of the fact that most employees are not satisfied with their current level of remuneration, it highlights the fact that more women than men are dissatisfied with their current pay. Interestingly, while 20 per cent of women respondents believe that their male counterparts are being paid more than them, only 9 per cent of men feel their female peers are being paid less than them. More than half of the respondents stated that they had asked for a hike in the previous year, while a third said they had done so more than once during the same period of time, only to be refused. The primary reason given for the refusal was the lack of budgets; however, close to a third of respondents were also told that their quality of work was not up to the mark. In comparison to remuneration in other countries, over 64 per cent of respondents believe that Indian salaries are generally lower than the average. However, a number of respondents also stated that they would be willing to accept alternative benefits at work in place of a pay rise. Over 60 per cent stated flexible work hours as an alternative to a pay hike, while 47 per cent suggested an increase in annual leave. Close to 40 per cent also cited paid parental leave as a benefit they would prefer, while 63 per cent respondents asked for healthcare benefits instead of a pay rise. Interestingly, of the respondents who do not plan to ask for a pay rise, 43 per cent claimed that their present salary was satisfactory. Over 80 per cent of respondents agreed that they would consider changing their job in order to secure a pay rise.