Having fun at work is the most important thing for job satisfaction among New Zealanders but their employers see brand as the decisive factor, finds a survey conducted by HR consultancy Clarian Human Resources and Massey University.

Fun was listed as the top priority by 50% of the workers in the survey of 612 individuals, while 71% of employers thought their product and brand reputation was the most important factor in attracting talent (71%), followed by being a stable market leader (68%).

Pay was seen as the second-highest priority for workers – and the second-lowest for employers. Meanwhile, 20% of workers said they were actively looking for alternative employment.

Clare Parkes, managing director of Clarian, says: “We’re seeing uncertainty in the economy, business strategies and operational tactics, and in employees’ states of mind relating to their choices for the future.

“While organisations have heavily invested in ‘right-sizing’ their headcount to accommodate the changing market forces, this leaves employees lacking clarity on what their future options are since the concept of career is no longer available to them in the traditional linear manner.”