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Half of UK tech pros consider leaving over budget cuts and workloads

Half of UK tech pros consider leaving over budget cuts and workloads

October 14, 2024
Programmer Computer Technology Business Innovation

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Despite pay rises and promotions, UK tech teams are feeling the strain of budget constraints and rising workloads, as half (50%) of professionals report that they’re considering leaving their present role in the next 12 months, according to research from Harvey Nash in partnership with LinkedIn.

The Harvey Nash Global Tech Talent & Salary Report is based on a survey of over 2,700 technology professionals globally. 

In the UK, the research showed that 45% of UK tech professionals received a pay increase last year, while one in seven received a promotion.

Harvey Nash also found that the workload of more than half (54%) of UK tech professionals increased over the past year. More than a quarter (27%) report a reduction in the size of their team, with 91% feeling that the lack of people resources has created a barrier to delivering their technology strategy.

Meanwhile, UK staff said they feel well supported, with 85% of tech professionals saying their employer is supportive of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Although around half (48%) are considering leaving for more pay and 41% to further their career, almost a third (31%) state that they’re leaving for a change of culture.

Key findings from the report found that although a university degree (46%) is still a very popular path into a tech career in the UK, almost 5 in 10 technologists (48%) transitioned into tech from an alternative career, and this was particularly true for female technologists where almost two thirds (62%) made this move, compared to 45% of men.

At the same time, more women in the UK also kickstarted their careers with industry certification (26%) than men (18%).

The report also found that today’s technologists want more from their leaders than technical know-how. In the UK, the ‘ability to create a positive culture within IT/tech’ (59%) and ‘influence at board level, and with the wider business’ (55%) were identified as the most important factors, closely followed by ‘strong communication skills’ (54%). All of these factors ranked more highly than having a deep understanding of technology (39%).

Andy Heyes, Managing Director UK&I and Central Europe at Harvey Nash, said in a press release, “Whether or not UK technologists follow through with their intentions to leave remains to be seen, but what is clear from our study is that expectations of their roles and the companies they work for are changing.”

“After pay, satisfaction in flexible work environments, work-life balance, and positive corporate culture feature high on their list of demands,” Heyes said. “Even with tech talent availability returning to pre-pandemic norms, UK businesses must adapt to these evolving needs to attract and retain top tech talent effectively. Going forward, retaining talent will be a delicate balance between getting the pay right and keeping work interesting and rewarding.”