Survey: Higher Salaries Not Enough to Attract and Keep Employees

Contact
Fred H. Hutchison
202.785.8940

Date
May 24, 2001




Plexus Consulting Group, LLC
1620 Eye Street, NW
Suite 210
Washington, DC 20006
Phone:  202-785-8940
Fax:      202-785-8949
Email:   info@plexusconsulting.com

A competitive benefits package alone will not keep good employees for long, according to the results of a recruitment and retention survey conducted by Executive Update magazine (published by the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives).

While salary and benefits were among the top issues contributing to job satisfaction, employees responding to the survey placed "challenging work" above compensation and benefits as a reason for staying with their association. Other important factors outweighing compensation include the quality of interpersonal relationships in the workplace and flexible hours. Telecommuting and spot cash awards were also important benefits employees wished associations offered. When asked to rate 37 different factors contributing to job satisfaction, the number-one rated factor was "overall work environment."

Of those responding to the survey, nearly 70 percent said they currently have a competitive salary, but expressed a desire for more competitive salary increases. Furthermore, better salaries were far down on the list of reasons for leaving their association; poor management and lack of career development were the top two reasons employees leave their associations.

The online survey was conducted by Executive Update magazine in cooperation with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and administered by Plexus Consulting Group and Data Harbor.

The survey was sent via broadcast e-mail to association professionals in Greater Washington in early April. Two hundred and seven usable responses were received and serve as the basis for the survey findings.

A full summary of the survey results will be published in the July 2001 issue of Executive Update magazine.

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About GWSAE
The Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE) is at the center of the largest and most influential community of association professionals and business partners in the world. The Nation's Capital Region is home to more than 3,500 international and national associations, which employ more than 75,000 people and contribute $13.2 billion in total economic impact. These associations provide leadership for every profession, industry, and cause in the nation.

GWSAE and the GWSAE Association Leadership Foundation are dedicated to maximizing the power and performance of association professionals and their business partners in the Nation's Capital Region.

About Plexus Consulting Group
Plexus Consulting Group provides a broad-range of consulting and management services. We help clients overcome challenge, achieve excellence, and maintain success.

The Plexus team of seasoned professionals assists associations, foundations, corporations, governments, and other organizations in the following primary practice areas: Association Management and Governance; Certification and Accreditation; Conference and Events Management; Financial Management; Fundraising and Marketing; Government and Public Relations; International Business Services; Knowledge Management; Member Relationship Management; Strategic Planning; and Survey and Research.

We are an employee-owned firm, structured along lines of industry specialization. These industry groups include specialists from aerospace and defense; financial services; healthcare; international; manufacturing; natural resources; professional services; and technology.

Our consultants come from firms such as Bain & Co., and Deloitte & Touche. Many are multilingual and include nationals from three continents.

Plexus has affiliates in Brussels, Reykjavik, and Tokyo.