Wages on the rise as 2019 set to be a ‘buyers’ market’ for UK’s top professionals

Wage growth could be set to rise as employees express optimism over securing higher salaries and the UK's statistics body revealed that worker's pay growth hit a ten-year high at the end of 2018. 

UK wages have grown on average by just 1.9 per cent a year, according to the Centre for Economics and Business.

However, a recent survey found that workers were becoming more optimistic about wage growth, with a third of employees stating that they believe they will receive job offers with competitive salaries.

A total of 34 per cent of those surveyed believed their boss would increase their wage if they were offered a job with a higher salary, according to research by recruitment consultancy Robert Half UK.

Meanwhile, 48 per cent of the 1,209 employees surveyed said they would feel more comfortable negotiating their salary with their employer. 

The research comes after it was revealed last week that wage growth hit a ten-year peak in the three months to November 2018, as employment levels also soared to a record high.

Wages grew by 3.3 per cent compared to the previous year, the Office for National Statistics said, and the number of people in paid work rose to 75.8 per cent.

In real terms salaries were up 1.1 per cent to a two-year high.

Robert Half UK managing director Matt Weston said: “Professionals with the skills and expertise to continue their career potential in the future workplace are wising up to their true value in the current recruitment landscape.

“Employers must adopt flexible recruitment strategies to keep up, or they risk losing out on top performers. This includes being able to quickly identify talent and potentially re-defining “must have” characteristics.

“It’s also important there is a compelling employee proposition in place; one that focuses on wider benefits, such as flexible working and training as well as remuneration.

“Those businesses that get this right will be well positioned to attract and retain candidates with the skills they need to cope with the fourth industrial revolution on the horizon, while continuing to navigate the current economic and political climate.”