An annual survey of pay, recruitment and retention in charities has showed that a fifth of voluntary organisations imposed a pay freeze on their senior financial managers last year.
The annual Charity Finance Directors' Group and Hays Salary and Employment Survey shows an average pay rise last year among charities of 2%, down from 3.18% the previous year. But the most common award was just 1% and a fifth of charities gave no pay rises at all to their financial staff last year and expect a similar situation this year.
David Membrey, acting chief executive of the group, said the results show the impact of the recession on salaries and recruitment. There has been some positive impact: staff turnover rates have dropped, with just under two thirds of respondents stating that they had no turnover at all. Similarly, most charities in the sector are not concerned about retaining the staff they need, and the calibre of applicants in finance and accounting positions has greatly improved. But many charities express concern once the economy picks up there may be an exodus back to the private sector.
The survey of senior managers shows a rise in the number of people moving jobs to look for a higher salary, but this is still only the third-highest reason given by staff for moving posts. The biggest two reasons remain a desire for greater responsibility and a desire for more interesting work.
There has been a rise in the number of charities providing a defined contribution pension, from 66% in 2008 up to 76%. Membrey said he was pleased to see this happening in the run-up to new pension legislation in 2012.
For the first time, the survey asked about the gender profile of charities' finance teams and found a gender balance, with 52% male, and 48% female. However, female respondents are, overall, less happy with their work-life balance, with only 44% rating it as above average.
From Bubb's Blog
From Whitehall Watch
