A pay rise may increase retentionHalf of UK employees feel that they are currently being paid less than they are worth, new research has found.

According to the Institute of Payroll Professionals, many workers feel they are undervalued in their roles, with six per cent claiming to be on an income which is “considerably less” than what the deserve.

Furthermore, two-thirds of employees admitted that they would ask their manager for a pay rise if they knew of a college in a similar role who was paid more than them.

And one on five respondents claimed they would even threaten to leave their firm but would stay if their salary was increased.

Lindsay Melvin, chief executive of the institute, said: “Employees who were unhappy in their jobs during the worst part of the recession may start looking for other opportunities elsewhere. Therefore, it is important for employers to ensure that their staff do not feel undervalued.”

He added that employers not in the position to hand out pay rises could consider offering flexible employee benefits and rewards packages in an effort to boost retention.

Emirates Business recently reported that setting up recreational areas in the workplace could also help to improve retention, motivation and staff well-being.

Posted by Cameron Thomson