· News

Money has pulling power but passion for the job is the main motivator once recruits are hired

A good salary attracts employees to a new job, but fails to motivate them once they are recruited, research reveals.

More than three in four UK workers (76%) say that when looking for a new job the most appealing feature is a competitive salary, but less than a third (32%) are motivated by money to perform well in their job, research published by the National Training Awards revealed today.

The research conducted with YouGov, reveals the biggest performance motivator, among nearly half (43%) of UK employees, is simply having a passion for their job or the organisation where they work, 70% say an employer's commitment to staff training and learning is important in helping them feel valued and 69% say it is important in making them want to work hard.

Other key performance motivators among UK workers are personal recognition and praise from management (28%) and an open and relaxed management style (27%).

The National Training Awards survey also revealed 52% of workers would feel more employable in difficult economic times by learning new skills or getting extra training and 83% think their training and skills development are important to their long-term career prospects. Although 50% of workers agree that their employer is committed to developing their skills, 22% disagree.


Simon Bartley, CEO, National Training Awards and UK Skills, said: "The results of our survey really do justify the old adage ‘money makes the world go round' - certainly in the jobs market at the very least. But it is fascinating how, on closer inspection, the more important values and motivations of the UK workforce come to light. Particularly, organisational aspects such as management styles and the provision of training and development opportunities can be even more important in keeping a workforce motivated, productive and happy."