One in five HR professionals are looking to change their job, according to survey data released today.

A compilation of responses to surveys conducted by information services company Croner over the last year also suggested that 46% of private sector HR workers had experienced a pay freeze in 2010.

Long hours were also exposed, with almost three-quarters or respondents more than 39 hours a week—a 30% increase on 2005. 27% said they worked more than 46 hours a week and 18% said they had poor or bad work-life balance.

The survey also suggested that HR professionals do not believe colleagues recognise the value of their work, with 42% saying that their contributions are not viewed in good or excellent terms.

Viv Copeland, head of client services at Croner, said: "It is incredibly worrying that one in five personnel professionals in the UK is looking to move job as it shows that organisations are not doing enough to engage their employees. It is particularly noticeable that this is a significant increase from only five years ago, showing that much more needs to be done to reassure staff of their value despite the economic turmoil.

"It is crucial that employers keep up-to-date with the facts on market pay, otherwise they risk losing key professionals who feel underpaid and undervalued. However, for the many organisations under pressure to cut budgets, it is important to remember that simple pay rises are not the only way to show the importance of your staff and keep them feeling motivated. Employers must do everything they can to ensure that staff are well-managed, engaged in interesting and stimulating work and have a good work-life balance."

Representatives from over 400 organisations were involved in the surveys.