Hong Kong executives have not yet recovered from the results of a gloomy economy and job market, according to a regular career confidence survey begun early this year by career transition firm Right Management Consultants.
The survey was conducted in 17 countries. Answering two very simple questions, respondents gave their feedback on, firstly, what the possibility was that they would get laid off in the next year and, secondly, how easy or difficult they thought it would be for a laid-off person to find a similar job at the same pay.
'In this reality check, our executives are not optimistic at all,' said Teresa Ho Kei-mei, senior consultant of Right Management Consultants.
'We [in Hong Kong] are among the top three overall in expressing the considerable possibility that we could lose our jobs as well as encounter difficulties in finding a new job of similar rank and remuneration after redundancy. Although good recovery signs are evident, people have just not felt the impact yet,' she said.
The career transition firm is urging employers to communicate with their employees.
'We are not advising that employers make empty promises but rather that they should inform their staff of the situation they are in right now and what the foreseeable future is. Timely and positive communication is essential to getting the workforce motivated,' said Ms Ho.