Survey of British workers shows people think London is the path to prosperity

But employees in Manchester most likely to stay fulfilled in their jobs for longer

London is perceived to be the most rewarding city to work in across the UK, with over a third (34%) of UK workers believing this is where they would achieve the highest level of job satisfaction, according to specialist recruiter, Randstad.

However, after Brighton (11%) and Edinburgh (8%), Manchester ranks in the top five most desirable cities to work in, with 7% of UK employees regarding it to be the most professionally fulfilling place to work across the country.

TABLE 1: Responses from British workers:

“Where do you think is the most professionally fulfilling place to work in the UK?”

And, in a further sign of Manchester’s growing reputation as hub of employment to rival the draw of the capital, nearly a third (30%) of London workers believe that if they could be fulfilled anywhere else in the country, it would be in Manchester.

Mancunians themselves recognise the desirability of the city’s workplaces – with over half (56%) of employees believing that the North West is the most fulfilling place to work in the country. The main reason behind this, for 31% of respondents, was the improved pace of life, followed by greater opportunities for promotion (23%).

Victoria Short, managing director of Randstad Care said, “Big initiatives such as the BBC relocating their studios to Salford, have helped nurture the image of Manchester as an alternative career path to vie against the centrifugal pull towards London. While the capital lures people in with the promise higher salaries, these have to contend with a higher cost of living and tougher competition for vacancies. But in the North West, more palatable housing costs help make Manchester the smart financial choice. While there are plenty of job opportunities for social care workers, nurses and teachers – especially those teaching maths, technology and science – construction and property are also booming. Manchester is on track to flourish further from the burst in construction employment springing up along the route of High Speed 2. Residential and commercial schemes around key stations such as Manchester Piccadilly are set to generate £1bn a year until the project is completed; creating around 40,000 new jobs. Already boasting a larger economy than Wales or Northern Ireland, these new transport links will ultimately help to cement Manchester as Britain’s second city – and even die-hard Londoners are recognising that it could offer some of the most exciting employment prospects.”

But casting the perceptions aside, the North-South divide is yet to be bridged when it comes to job satisfaction. Manchester has the most disillusioned workers in Britain, with 16% of respondents describing themselves as very unfulfilled in their current employment. This is closely followed by their northern rival Newcastle, with the second largest number of unmotivated workers, totalling 12% of those polled.

Just one in ten (11%) of Mancunian employees feel they are already in their ideal career, compared a quarter (25%) of Londoners.

TABLE 2: Responses from British workers:
“Overall, how fulfilled do you feel in terms of your work? – VERY UNFULFILLED”

When it comes to tackling this disenfranchisement, Mancunian’s feel more keenly than any other UK workers that opportunities to develop new skills and grow professionally are the key to unlocking job fulfilment and encouraging you to stay in a certain role of company. They top the charts with 39% of workers in the city stating this was essential to achieving satisfaction at work, while Londoners put the least emphasis on this in their quest for professional fulfilment.

TABLE 3: “What would make you more fulfilled at work? – OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS

The significance of upskilling in the eyes of Manchester workers helps them to stay fulfilled working for their employer for the longest period of time of any UK workers, with 47% of Mancunians happy to continue in their current role for 10 years or more.

Victoria Short added, “People in Manchester assess their working life on benchmarks beyond simply their pay packets. And once they find a role that brings them fulfilment, they are more likely to be contented sticking at it for longer. Changing careers or company is a great shortcut to immediate sense of satisfaction in your job, but Mancunians’ also recognise that growing in a role and gaining further responsibility and recognition can be just as fulfilling.”

The study was carried out as part of the research behind the 2014 Randstad Fulfilment @ Work Report available to download at www.randstad.co.uk.