The 2007 National Management Salary Survey from the Chartered Management Institute surveyed 42,205 individuals across a variety of job sectors. It found that, in the third sector, earnings have only increased by an average of 5.3%, down from 5.7% in 2006. However, this compared well to employees in the transport and logistics sector which, at the bottom the table, only realised an increase of 2.6%.

The survey also found that organisations across the sector were finding it difficult to recruit and retain staff, with 81% of employers saying they were experiencing problems in this area. In addition, resignations have also increased substantially, at 5.2% compared to 2.6% last year.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute said the survey’s findings should be “ringing alarm bells” for employers. “The marketplace is clearly tipping in favour of the employee, so if they are serious about retaining the best talent organisations urgently need to meet the needs and expectations of their staff,” he added.