South Africans are among the most hard-working in the world, with discretionary effort levels double that of the global average, according to CEB, a best practice insight and technology company.
Findings from the company’s latest Global Talent Monitor show that stalled economic growth in South Africa has prompted a steady rise in employees’ willingness to go the extra mile at work – including helping others with heavy workloads and looking for ways to perform more effectively. Encouragingly, 45% of employees in South Africa who go above and beyond are likely to stay with their employer for the next 6-12 months.
With S&P Global predicting economic growth of just 1.4% in 2017, South African employees’ expectations around annual bonuses have fallen, closing the expectation-reality pay gap to just 2%. With the recent introduction of the national minimum wage, workers now place a higher value on the stability of an employer than the compensation package offered, which is why more than a third of South African workers are opting to stick with their employer.
Despite rising effort levels and a more realistic outlook, South African workers are keeping their eye on the jobs market. With 52% of the workforce looking out for employment opportunities, South Africa retains the position of third most active job-seeking nation globally, behind India and Malaysia.
Global Talent Monitor data is drawn from CEB’s larger Global Labour Market Survey, which is made up of more than 22 000 employees in 40 countries. The survey is conducted quarterly and is reflective of market conditions during the quarter preceding publication.
