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April 13 2006 - A recent survey finds that today's businesses are taking active steps to persuade valued employees to stay - and they don't involve a ball and chain, according to Robert Half Technology.

A poll for the company, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis, found that 58% of chief information officers (CIOs) said that they are providing professional development opportunities to retain their best staff. 41% offered flexible schedules and 40% offered base compensation, both increasingly popular retention strategies.

The survey includes responses from over 270 CIOs taken from a stratified random sample of Canadian businesses with one hundred or more employees. When asked, "What steps, if any, is your firm taking to retain key IT talent?" the following responses were given:

Providing training or professional development Offering flexible schedules Increasing base compensation Offering bonuses Offering equity incentives Other None/no steps taken

58% 41% 40% 39%  7%  4% 25%

(Note: Multiple responses were allowed.)

"As the number of job opportunities for IT professionals increases, many CIOs are making retention a priority," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Firms recognize that technology workers, in particular, value ongoing educational opportunities to enable them to keep their skills current and continue learning on the job."

She added that effective retention programs also address work-life balance and salary issues. "Offering flexible schedules or telecommuting options is a cost-effective way to improve overall job satisfaction, show appreciation and build loyalty. Competitive compensation packages are equally important and demonstrate to employees that their contributions are valued."

Robert Half Technology has over 100 locations in North America and Europe and offers online job search services at www.rht.com.

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