Despite strong pressure from the government and unions less than one in 10 employers mention pensions in their job advertisements, according to the TUC’s annual survey released today.
The research reveals that out of 1,132 job advertisements placed during a two-week period in July, only 69 (6%) mentioned a pension – a drop of 0.5% on the 2004 figure.
Of the adverts placed less than half listed the type of pension scheme offered. And out of the small number that mentioned a pension, less than half offered a final salary scheme.
This poor response from employers comes despite strong encouragement from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to mention pensions in job advertising.
The DWP has itself recently arranged for all adverts through Jobcentre Plus to include pensions information as part of its ‘Informed Choice’ programme.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Employers who offer workplace pension schemes should be boasting about it. Those that don’t are missing a golden opportunity to attract and retain key workers who are seeking a pension in their benefits package.
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“If all job adverts gave clear information on pension schemes, prospective employees would take the advertisement more seriously.”
The full results of the survey can be seen at: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/pensionjobads.doc
