A new survey from ManpowerGroup Solutions and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) found that retail job candidates are twice as likely to want a part-time work schedule than job candidates in other industries. Moreover, 31% say they want to choose their own shifts, compared with 18% of workers in other industries. The findings are particularly significant to HR pros in the industry since retail roles are the third hardest jobs to fill in the U.S., according to the survey.
The new survey report, “Inside the Heads of Job Seekers: U.S. Retail Candidate Preferences” was based on a survey of about 1,500 U.S. retail workers, who conveyed they would likely seek work elsewhere if a potential employer did not offer flexibility, such as shorter work weeks and flexible shift patterns. The survey found that flexibility trumped compensation and benefits as top motivators for these retail candidates.
“The retail industry is competing for workers who seek new ways of working, value flexibility and the ability to choose their own schedule,” said Jim McCoy, Vice President of ManpowerGroup Solutions RPO and Global Practice Leader, said in a press release. “To attract the brightest and best, employers need to develop an attractive employer brand and demonstrate that they can offer people flexibility,, the option to better blend work and home, and the opportunity to develop their skills.”
For more about the survey, visit ManpowerGroup.