More than half IT staff feel underpaid

Well according to the latest survey from a specialist recruiter (who else)

Despite 60 per cent of Tech employees feeling happy with their job, less than half of them feel their current pay adequately rewards their responsibility.

This is according to figures from Randstad - a specialist recruitment firm (no I've never heard of them either).

The firm questioned 2,000 UK adults (as opposed to children and pets) and 47 per cent of employees in the IT sector said they were happy with their pay. Leaving 53 per cent unhappy. Bearing in mind the national average of 43 per cent.

According to the results, competitive pay and benefits is now the most important requirement of a new employer, with job security (the previous chart topper) is now in third place.

However before IT bosses start crying into their coffee, the general public saw IT and telecoms firms as some of the best UK employers to work for. Hooray!

Mike Beresford, managing director of Randstad Technologies, said: "It's been a tough job market in recent years with confidence on the wane..."

Well said, Mike.

Put-upon IT staff are also complaining that they are doing the equivalent of one and a half jobs, with teams as 'lean' as can possibly be. (Hah! Welcome to the world of media, pal).

However he also said employees are becoming more bullish, and employers must redouble their efforts if they are to attract and hold onto skilled employees.

I mean, it would be awful if all these unhappy people upped sticks and left, and just happened to go straight to a certain specialist recruitment firm for some advice. Wouldn't it?

In equally cheerful news for the IT sector, another survey, this time by software firm GFI, revealed IT administrators are feeling extremely stressed at work, with 73 per cent considering leaving their job due to workplace stress.

This is up from 69 per cent last year. The main gripe is lack of budget and staff needed to get the job done, and working 10 hours or more of overtime just to keep on top of their workload.

Happy Easter everyone!