The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce‘s 2019-20 Salary and Benefits Report gives an insight into the issues facing businesses in recruiting and retaining the right staff, barriers to growth and a comprehensive breakdown of salaries and benefits from 350 businesses.

The report will prove an invaluable tool for businesses operating in the midst of a national skills shortage.

A total of 43 per cent of the businesses identified skills (attracting and retaining appropriately skilled workers) as the biggest barrier to growth during 2019. This shows just how vital it is for local businesses to make sure that they are offering fair and attractive salary and benefit packages to attract and retain skilled workers.

Greater competition for staff continues to push up starting salaries. Estimated annual growth in average weekly earnings for employees has started to climb.

However, as we approach the tail end of 2019, there are signs that employment growth has softened; 52 per cent of businesses have attempted to recruit during the past year, and of those an average of 60 per cent experienced difficulties during the recruitment process.

The five sectors that have experienced the most difficulty recruiting were the public/voluntary sector, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, IT and cyber security, and construction and property.

With the dynamics of the labour market ever changing, it has never been more important for businesses to review the pay and benefits packages they offer their staff.

The Salary and Benefits report will support businesses in reviewing the packages that they currently offer their staff and thus bolster both their recruitment and retention success.

If you would like to request a copy of the 2019-20 report contact policy@hwchamber.co.uk