Discover global, regional and local country insights to better understand, motivate and retain your people
Our survey reveals that women’s pay rises are lagging those of men – with Australia’s workers predicting this trend won’t change any time soon.
The nation’s salary increases in the past 12 months averaged 5.7% for men, compared to only 4.4% for women. In the next 12 months, men expect to see their pay increase by an average of 6.3%, while women predict an uplift of just 5.2%.
Of the Australian workers dissatisfied with their jobs, 11% of women attribute this to the gender pay gap, versus 6% of men.
More women (63%) rank ‘salary’ as the most important part of a job than men (53%).
More women (50%) than men (42%) are dissatisfied with what their employer is paying them.
Men (55%) are more likely than women (48%) to say that their employer talks to them about career progression.
40% of men think their company has improved in gender pay equality compared to three years ago - only 29% of women agree.
55% of women consider themselves underpaid for their role, compared to 43% of men.
More men (40%) than women (24%) would consider doing unpaid hours to help secure their job.
47% of women would accept extra days’ annual leave in place of a pay rise, compared to 30% of men.
DE&I, gender pay equality and wage theft progress stalls.
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The Asia Pacific region is an economic powerhouse. Here workers have a reputation for hard work and expect to be suitably compensated.
But our research in Australia, China, India and Singapore has also shown the region to be a leader in ways other than the simply economic — from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to mental health awareness.
Despite recent economic uncertainty, the research reveals a stabilisation across the region — from levels of optimism, job satisfaction and unpaid overtime to fewer workers considering a career change. No surprise then that job security fears appear to be receeding.
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Download reportsWhile business leaders can sharpen their competitive edge by harnessing their workers’ commitment and drive, they cannot take these for granted. This year’s research indicates that employers in the Asia Pacific region still have work to do to meet employee expectations across a range of workplace policies.
The average pay rise across the region was 7.2% but the numbers of workers saying ‘I am always, often or sometimes underpaid’ ranges from 27% in China to a worrying 70% in India.
On average, 44% of employees across Asia Pacific say mental health is adversely affecting their performance while 66% state stress is also causing their work to suffer.
Year-on-year, fewer workers in the Asia Pacific region are considering a career move. But still a quarter to a third are thinking of a change, from shifting industry to establishing their own business.
A DEI gap is emerging: Chinese and Indian workers enjoyed the greatest DEI improvements in the past three years, with 89% and 94% respectively saying their employer are offering DEI initiatives. Yet, the number falls to 76% in Australia and 79% in Singapore.
Having some choice over location and hours has become the norm. Workers now rank career progression (27%) and job enjoyment (48%) as more important factors.
Chinese workers seem satisfied with their training and development (61%) and career progression (58%) but in the other Asia Pacific nations, around a half or less are happy with these aspects.
Following one of the largest global surveys of its kind — undertaken between 28 October and 18 November 2022 — ADP Research Institute® brings you vital intelligence into the attitudes, aspirations, wants and needs of 32,612 workers in 17 countries, including 8,613 working exclusively in the gig economy.
How you can benefit from this research:
While 87% feel optimistic about the future, 62% think no sector will escape the effects of the current economic uncertainty and almost four in 10 (37%) don’t feel secure in their jobs.
61% say salary’s the key factor in their job and 62% expect a pay rise from their current employer in the next year. Yet 43% are sometimes, often or always underpaid.
Nearly half (47%) say their work suffers due to poor mental health while 65% claim stress adversely affects performance. Employers are responding through positive mental health initiatives.
Nearly half (48%) say they could relocate overseas with their existing employer. Workers now prioritise career progression and job enjoyment over flexible hours and locations.
