How you can score a job with more holidays, a major pay rise and even heartbreak leave

Companies struggling to retain staff have been forced to proposition workers with incredible benefits such as extra long weekends, bonuses and a guaranteed pay rise. 

New data has revealed up to one in five organisations across Australia have been left floundering as more employees up and leave, causing serious turnover issues.

A staggering 43 per cent of Aussie companies are having difficulty hiring and keeping staff according to research from asset management firm Mercer.

Flighty workers have forced bosses to brainstorm how they can sweeten the deal with perks like more days off, sign-on bonuses and even heartbreak leave. 

On top of the benefits, more than 93 per cent of Australian companies plan on rewarding their employees with a pay rise of three per cent in 2022. 

This figure has skyrocketed from 0.5 per cent in 2021, according to data from Mercer’s annual Total Remuneration Survey. 

Tech-savvy Aussies who work in User Experience Design are in an unprecedented position of being able to request salaries 10.5 per cent higher. 

Entry-level roles in digital marketing can expect a staggering 9.5 per cent increase while veteran data science or data mining workers can predict an eight per cent rise. 

Professionals who work in IT can also expect a salary boost of about eight per cent in the new year as companies look to retain those with essential skills. 

Flighty workers have forced employers to brainstorm how they can sweeten the deal with perks like free long weekends to give workers time to recharge (pictured, Sydney bar-goers)

Media professionals, construction workers and people who make a living in life sciences are set to enjoy a three per cent pay rise, while employees in consumer goods will reap a 2.8 per cent boost.  

Chi Tran, head of market insights and data at Mercer’s workforce consulting practice told news.com.au the pandemic was responsible for the huge benefits. 

‘Much has been made of the talent shortage, with hiring and retaining top talent more competitive than ever. It’s generating higher-than-market pay, sign-on bonuses and premiums to hire those with critical skills,’ she said. 

Ms Tran also noted that following a preference for online shopping fostered during the pandemic, roles in the consumer goods industry and logistics were exploding. 

However, employers will have to work a little harder to keep their staff satisfied. 

On top of a better salary, Aussie workers are now being tempted by recruiters with roles that promise more leave, six free long weekends and better conditions for parental leave. 

Ms Tran explained workers were seeking a more ‘personalised’ work experience that will provide flexibility and align with their personal values. 

She said organisations that are looking to retain and inspire their staff should ensure company benefits resonate with the ‘needs and preferences’ of employees. 

Andrew Walsh, the executive director at global financial technology company Iress, has pioneered the sweet incentive of six long weekends a year off.

On top of a better salary, workers are now being tempted by recruiters with promises of more leave, six free long weekends and better conditions for parental leave (stock image)

Regardless of how long they have worked for the organisation, Iress employees (pictured) can take six extra long weekends to recharge with no impact on their annual leave or pay

Regardless of how long they have worked for the organisation, staff can take the extra leave to recharge with no impact on their annual leave or pay. 

Iress – which has offices in both Sydney and Melbourne – also offers employees who have a child making the transition to primary school reduced hours at full pay. 

Zip, a buy now pay later scheme similar to Afterpay, has offered staff mental health support as well as family and domestic violence leave.

Impacted workers are afforded ten paid days of leave which can be extended, with the company also offering a $299 fixed sum that can be spent on personal interests. 

Zip, a buy now pay later scheme similar to Afterpay, (pictured) has offered staff mental health support as well as family and domestic violence leave

It comes as Australia’s unemployment rate has unexpectedly surged to 5.2 per cent despite the end of lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne.

The October jobless rate marked a sharp rise from 4.6 per cent in September and was the steepest monthly increase since May 2020, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed.

Australia’s unemployment rate is at the highest level since April when 5.5 per cent of the labour force was without work, calling into question the phenomenon of the ‘Great Resignation’ where workers have more power to find another job.

Australians who work in real estate, hospitality, and retail are more likely to get a pay rise before Christmas, major bank Westpac has predicted (pictured, a waitress in Sydney)

The Australian Capital Territory’s jobless rate surged to a 23-year high of 6.6 per cent while Victoria among the states had the highest unemployment of 5.6 per cent, compared with 5.4 per cent in NSW.  

Meanwhile, Australians who work in real estate, hospitality, and retail are more likely to get a pay rise before Christmas, major bank Westpac has predicted.

The end of lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne have made consumers want to go out and spend again, creating staff shortages.

Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said Australians were keener to spend money on services instead of just goods after months of stay-at-home orders. 

‘We are likely to see a significant rebalancing in spending from goods back towards services and experiences – a view that also looks to be supported by the responses to our question on Christmas spending plans,’ he said.