Getting people back to work

A new Ipsos survey among out-of-work adults has highlighted just how much unemployment can knock an individual’s confidence; with two thirds (66%) agreeing that being out of work has reduced their self confidence. Plus, this is an issue that gets worse over time: six in ten unemployed adults who have been out of work for between one and three months agree with this statement, but this rises to seven in ten among those who have been unemployed for over a year (61% and 69% respectively).

Just as confidence declines, so does determination. Whereas nine in ten of those who have been out of work for between one and three months say they are determined to do whatever it takes to find work (88%), this figure decreases to seven in ten (68%) of those who have been out of work for over a year and further still to six in ten (60%) among those who have never worked.

This chimes with data from the Department from Work and Pensions, which shows that while the vast majority of jobseekers find their way off benefits within the first year of being unemployed (90%), past this point it becomes much harder for them to move into work meaning they need a greater degree of support.

Willingness to compromise in order to get a job varies considerably depending on the job factors being considered. Seven in ten (68%) would be prepared to work less than full-time (for example part-time, or in a jobshare), while three in five (62%) would be willing to retrain into a new industry. And while a similar proportion (60%) would be prepared to take a job with less responsibility, far fewer (37%) would accept a pay cut. Least popular are the suggestions of travelling more than one hour to work (30%) and moving to a different location (20%).

Head of Employment, Welfare and Skills at Ipsos, Suzanne Hall, said:

“Our research has shown that while most people want to work, confidence is key and can take a serious hit for those out of work for more than a year, demotivating them and make it harder for them to find work. Also, any reforms must address the issue holistically; vacancies on their own are not enough – the work needs to be sustainable, with opportunities for progression and flexible enough to fit into the demanding realities of many people’s lives”.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith MP, said:

“It's no great surprise that a year out of work can really knock someone's confidence – that’s why we are bringing in the Work Programme, to give people tailored support designed around their needs to give them every possible chance of finding and keeping a job. "We're also introducing Universal Credit, which means people can no longer be financially better off on benefits than in work.”

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Technical Note

While most jobseekers move off benefits without the need for intensive support, the services provided by Jobcentre Plus remain important: Over twice the proportion are satisfied with the ease of access to Jobcentre Plus services than dissatisfied (53% versus 22%). A similar number are satisfied with the advice given (37%) as are dissatisfied (39%). A greater number of jobseekers are dissatisfied with their overall experience (40%) and the outcome of their contact (38%) than satisfied (33% and 29% respectively). More positively, three in five (60%) of those out of work feel informed about the help available to them when unemployed. There are calls for information to be more tailored; two thirds (66%) agree that they would like advice about the kinds of sectors that will offer good employment prospects.

This is particularly important given the concern over the lack of vacancies; three in five (58%) are dissatisfied with the number of vacancies advertised in Jobcentre Plus that match their skills while, more generally, over four in five (85%) agree that the current economic climate will make it difficult for them to find work.

Technical Note

Research Conducted between the 24 April – 13 May 2011 with a sample of 1,624 unemployed adults and 1,332 unemployed adults who have visited a Jobcentre Plus office.