UK employees are the least likely to ask for a job promotion or request help in finding a mentor, according to the 2012 HR Beat, an international survey of hiring managers and HR professionals. 

Commissioned by provider of cloud-based business execution software SuccessFactors, researchers questioned more than 1,500 HR leaders and hiring managers throughout the US, Australia, France, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

Thomas Volkert, head of HR EMEA for SuccessFactors, says: “British culture is deep rooted in modesty with the majority of people having an aversion to overt self-promotion, and a ‘stiff upper lip’ when it comes to asking for help.

“Culturally, British employees would much rather be judged and noticed on merit, results and hard work. There is also a long-standing etiquette that deems discussion about pay rises and promotions to be crass, which could explain some of the cultural influences behind these findings.”

Job hunters (89%) and employees (83%) in the UK are looking for non-financial benefits, while 45% of employees in the UK want flexible work hours. Overall, female job candidates and female employees in the UK are more likely to ask for flexible work hours, flexible work locations and more holiday time than their male counterparts. 

Male job candidates and male employees in the UK are more likely to ask for a bonus, more pay or a bigger title.