Indeed Survey: Blue-Collar Workers Want Fair Pay, Physical Safety, and Psychological Well-Being

 

~82% jobseekers prioritize salary compensation to sustain their daily lives, and 73% value physical safety at the workplace~

Bangalore, August 2023 - Indeed, a leading global matching and hiring platform recently launched a survey titled ‘The Job Search Process: A Look from the Inside Out’. The report aims to dive deep into the sentiments of jobseekers, as the future of work continues to evolve. The report highlights various elements that blue-collar employees lookout for in their hunt for jobs, and the different barriers faced by them.

The survey highlights important factors that matter to blue-collar job seekers when looking for employment:

Sustenance level salary: Fair pay is a priority for blue-collar job seekers. Based on the survey findings, 82% of blue-collar job seekers are looking for jobs that provide them with adequate disposable incomes beyond mere sustenance levels.

However, only 18% manage to earn such incomes. As many as 56% of blue-collar workers currently earn wages that just about meet their basic needs. Additionally, 39% of GenZ blue-collar workers earn wages that do not satisfy their basic needs.

Physical Safety: A significant 73% of job seekers prioritize workplace safety due to the nature of their jobs. Ensuring a safe environment is essential to prevent accidents and injuries, making it a top concern for these workers.

49% of respondents also seek jobs that minimize physiological and psychological stress at work. Blue-collar workers may face physical stress due to the manual labor involved in their work, which can lead to strain, fatigue, and other physical health issues. Additionally, considering the potential psychological stress that comes with high-pressure work environments, having an employer who addresses these concerns and promotes a positive, supportive atmosphere is essential for overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Learning & Development: Out of the blue-collar workers surveyed, 78% expressed a desire for their organizations to offer professional certification programs, such as online courses. However, only 22% of the employers surveyed reported actually providing such programs.

Job Security: For 71% of applicants, job security is high on the list of priorities when seeking job opportunities. Many of the blue-collar jobs are informal and do not offer the same level of job security as formal jobs. Workers in the informal sector are often paid lower wages, do not receive benefits such as health insurance or retirement plans, and are not protected by labor laws. They are also more vulnerable to layoffs or job losses due to economic downturns or changes in the industry. Job security ensures that employees can continue to receive salaries even during uncertain economic climates.

Perks and Benefits: 54% job seekers weigh the perks and benefits provided by a company before joining. Among these, 81% wish to have leave policies including holidays. 75% seek performance bonus, while 71% want equipment or supply reimbursement. 67% jobseekers prefer performance recognition.

Commenting on the survey findings, Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, said:“Blue-collar workers are the backbone of the economy. The survey findings show that blue-collar workers are looking for jobs that offer more than just a paycheck. They want jobs that provide them with a sense of security, a chance to grow, and the opportunity to make a difference in the world.”

Job seekers prefer simpler application processes during job hunt

One of the major challenges for blue-collar employees that prevent them from having a seamless job search experience, is having to deal with confusing and complex application processes. As per 72% blue-collar employees, use of simple language during job description, significantly impacts their experience. In addition, absence of diverse communication channels and uncertain application outcomes play a significant role.

Job sentiment of white-collar workers

71% employees prioritize work flexibility while 67% prefer salary/compensation
70% consider mode of work such as hybrid or remote work arrangements
69% care about job location as a parameter for job selection
There is a clear distinction in the priorities of knowledge workers, compared to blue-collar employees, for whom monetary compensation and safety - both physiological and psychological, play an important role.

Methodology
This study included 1,810 participants, consisting of 618 blue-collar workers, 631 knowledge workers, and 561 employers. The survey was conducted by ValuVox in May 2023, on behalf of Indeed.