Although salary adjustments were implemented, they still remained modest, matching last year's average pay increases. And because of the rise in job-related stress due to heavier workloads, more IT employees expect to get salary hikes this year while at the same time, maintaining a stable level of job performance and satisfaction. These were some of the highlights of the IS Salary, Job Satisfaction and Career survey conducted by the Computerworld Philippines Research Group covering 100 respondent organizations from March to June 2012, where 48% of respondents claimed they are receiving salaries that are within the industry standard while those who claimed they receive pay checks higher than industry standard comprised nine percent.

On the other hand, 43% describe their monthly remuneration as below industry standard. Though lower, the salaries they handed to them every month do not pose a hindrance to their work performance. Admitting that the monthly take home pay of his staff is lower than industry standard, Sherwin Villao, IT manager of the famous restaurant Pancake House Group of Companies, clarifies that despite the lower pay, "the performance of my staff is not affected, although they are not that satisfied," adding that "it just so happened that they are matured enough to accomplish any tasks or projects assigned to them."

Although there are many who still enjoy their job despite getting lower pay, this makes employees on the lookout for other IT jobs in another firm that offers a more appealing take home pay. Knowing and feeling his staff sentiments borne out by lower compensation, Villao cannot afford to discount the fact that "they are looking for it outside of Pancake House Group."

Compensation

Compensation is always one of the factors that contribute to a worker's satisfaction with his job. An IT worker who is performing to his fullest potential for the growth of the company he is connected with, yet is not favorably compensated, may be forced to look for other options that would satisfy him better.