Data gathered by employee research specialist ORC International has shown that 61% of non-profit employees feel their pay is fair considering their duties and responsibilities, compared to the average result of just 43%. The staff satisfaction score for the sector outperforms both local and central government.

Non-profit employees were also the most likely to feel proud to work for their organisation, with 69% saying they felt pride in their work. This compares to a UK average of 63%.

“Our research demonstrates that the not-for-profit sector needs to be aware of its employees' motivations and tailor the reward package to match the aspirations and wants of its workforce,” said Kate Pritchard divisional manager for employee research at ORC International. “Other aspects of the employee value proposition such as recognition, personal development, autonomy and pride in the organisation’s services can have a much greater impact on achieving employee engagement than concentrating on financial incentives.”