More employees receiving promotions

Employers are promoting employees at a higher rate than they were six years ago, yet they aren’t using that information to their advantage.

A new survey conducted by nonprofit HR association WorldatWork found that 9.3% of employees received a promotion in the past year, up from 7% in 2010.

See also: Key to linking employee health, performance is comprehensive promotional efforts

However, a majority of the 408 organizations (64%) surveyed do not feature or market promotional opportunities as a key benefit to attract new employees.

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“Companies should be much more active in their promotional materials, in their recruiting functions, to get that message out,” says Kerry Chou, senior practice leader at WorldatWork. “That’s a totally safe message. You absolutely want to promote those opportunities.”

Yet employers must careful about the language they use, Chou says. Despite the large percentage increase, only a small number of people are promoted each year. Any employer that publicizes a high promotion percentage risks offending employees who don’t get promoted.

While 68% of promotions occur as needed, nearly one-fifth (19%) of employers promote employees annually, according to the survey.

See also: Employers need to communicate benefits to attract jobseekers

Rather than brag about statistics that could isolate the other 81% of employees, Chou recommends that employers incorporate their promotion rates as part of an overall focus on career development and growth.

“What we’re communicating out is that we want to promote. We’re a company that will help you advance your career,” he says. “Most employers don’t take advantage of that. It’s a missed opportunity.”

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