Three-fifths (61%) of respondents have not received a pay rise in the last 12 to 18 months, according to research by independent job board CV Library.
Its survey of 1,200 UK professionals also found that of those that did gain a pay rise, 39% received an increase of up to 2%.
Lee Biggins (pictured), founder and chief executive officer at CV Library, said: “We can’t ignore the fact that pay is a huge influencing factor in people’s decisions to join [an organisation] and stay with [it].
“With Brexit causing many Brits to defer any plans they might have had to change up their careers, employers need to consider how a competitive salary will help them to attract home-grown talent.”
More than four in 10 (45%) respondents do not feel comfortable asking their existing employer for a pay rise, while 32% believe they would not feel comfortable negotiating pay with a new employer.
Three-fifths (60%) of respondents working within social care state that they are not likely to negotiate on their salary, compared to 58% who work in hospitality, 54% in the catering sector and 50% in retail. Other sectors that are unlikely to negotiate on pay include manufacturing (49%), education (44%), automotive (43%), property (42%), engineering (39%) and distribution (38%).
Biggins added: “These top sectors where professionals are least likely to negotiate on pay with an employer are also some of those most likely to be affected by Brexit. For businesses to engage and retain the best candidates, they need to not only offer a fair salary, but also put in place annual pay reviews to ensure that wages rise in line with inflation and performance.”
Half (50%) of respondents have negotiated on a job offer, with 80% stating they have negotiated on salary. In comparison, 47% of these professionals have negotiated on working hours and 29% have discussed flexible working.
“[While] salary is undeniably a big pull factor, there’s increasing pressure on businesses to offer more than just this. Our survey gives a good indication of what candidates are after in the current job market,” Biggins said.
“However, part of being a top employer is listening to employees and showing that [employers] understand their needs. If [employers] can nail this, then [they will] be on the right path to filling job roles.”