The New Zealand IT sector may be heading for a critical talent shortage, as our survey reveals that workplace stress, economic pressures, and dwindling career opportunities are prompting many professionals to consider leaving the country.
The 2024 Younity IT Sector Temperature Check surveyed 675 IT professionals across New Zealand to uncover the state of their mental health, workplace stress levels, and desired support. The findings paint a stark picture of a workforce under pressure.
“This has been a brutal year for job seekers across the board,” says Richard Vaughan, Managing Director of Younity. “We wanted to understand how stress from the economic downturn has affected the wellbeing of IT professionals in New Zealand and how this may shape the future of our industry.”
Key findings from the survey include:
- 41% of IT professionals are considering leaving New Zealand for better career opportunities.
- 77% have actively been looking for new roles, 81% of these jobseekers found it harder to secure work this year than in previous years.
- 38% reported worse work-life balance in 2024 compared to last year.
- 69% felt pressured to deliver more with fewer resources, reflecting increased workloads due to job cuts and restructures.
- 46% said workplace stress significantly impacted their personal lives, while 30% reported a high to very high impact on work performance.
Richard notes the survey’s most alarming takeaway: “The number of IT professionals contemplating leaving New Zealand is far higher than we anticipated. This talent drain could have dire consequences for businesses and government projects when the market recovers. Without skilled workers, our ability to deliver critical services and innovation will be seriously hindered.”
Wellbeing Under the Microscope
The survey delved into the impact of workplace stress on family relationships, welfare, and long-term outlook. Despite increased peer support, many professionals said corporate wellbeing initiatives have fallen short.
Respondents identified the top workplace benefits that could improve their personal wellbeing:
- Extra annual leave (25%)
- Full-time remote work (23%)
- Professional development and training (14%)
“These insights offer a clear opportunity for employers,” Richard says. “Adding wellness leave or remote working options to employee benefits could be a simple, cost-effective way to retain and support staff in these stressful times.”
He concludes, “We need to build a resilient, supportive environment for IT professionals and look at how we can support them to be robust in stressful times. It’s not just about retaining talent. it’s about ensuring that people can thrive and deliver in an industry that’s critical to New Zealand’s future.”
Notes on the survey:
• The Younity Temperature Check survey was conducted between October and November 2024 with 675 IT professionals surveyed.
• Respondents were mainly from the Wellington (46%), Auckland (43%) and Canterbury (4%) regions.
• Gender split: 65% male, 32% female, 1% non-binary and 2% prefer not to say