Demand for HR & Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) professionals is growing. What does this mean for salaries?
The 2020 Frazer Jones Salary Guide & Market Trends Report is out now and it contains all sorts of useful information for HR & Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) professionals across Australia. It doesn’t just contain insights into what people are being paid now but also what they are expecting for the future.
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in an era of uncertainty and upheaval, triggering changes in the working lives and wellbeing of all. The pandemic has not only brought on devastating health impacts and economic turmoil, it has also created substantial change across the business landscape.
During unprecedented times, companies rely on their HR departments to help navigate crises and outline a path to the other side.
The 2020 Frazer Jones Salary Survey has revealed useful insights into HR & HSE professionals remuneration including salaries, bonuses, and benefits, as well as levels of job satisfaction and employee tenure. The survey also exposed some interesting trends across industry sectors, experience levels and age groups.
One of the key findings in the report was that while the COVID-19 impact was extensive in Q2 and Q3, in the short term, niche or critical roles (where specialist or deep experience is needed) will continue to be in strong demand. Non-urgent hires, however, will be held off and reviewed in January 2021.
Key insights from the report
Retention of talent remains a challenge
With nearly 40 per cent of respondents changing their employer in the 12 months prior to the pandemic, talent retention is still a significant concern for many organisations.
More than 90 per cent of respondents said they have been in their role 4 years or less and the data shows a significant drop after the 2-4 year mark – and the numbers continue to drop considerably after that.
Benefits are key to attracting the best talent
Going into 2020, 70 per cent of companies were offering flexible working as their key benefit. However, due to the changes to remote and flexible working brought on by COVID-19, candidates are now looking for more valuable benefits to enhance their total remuneration including additional leave, additional superannuation and health insurance benefits.
Salary for HR & HSE in Australia
Specialist HR roles in growth markets such as technology and change and transformation specialists are among the most in-demand HR candidates, both commanding competitive salaries and attractive bonuses. For example, a change manager in NSW could expect to earn between $180,000 and $220,000.
In the HSE sector, demand for systems specialists are increasing as companies try to stay ahead of technological advances and innovations in automation services in the claims, injury management and return to work faculties. A systems specialist in NSW could expect to earn between $130,000 and $160,000.
In terms of what’s up ahead, Angela Franks, head of Frazer Jones Australia says, “There is no doubt that Australia has it challenges ahead and after such a turbulent 12 months many employees and employers have had to be resilient like never before. The first half of 2021 will be needing more of that resilience but also the need to look beyond the immediate challenges and understand how they react and build in volatile and uncertain times. Whilst some look for even the smallest of certainty or stability to trade through the next 12 months, the brave will hire and hire smart.”
To find out where you stand and to gain interesting market insights, download the 2020 Frazer Jones Salary Guide & Market Trends Report.