Acquiring new skills, balancing professional and personal life and social commitment may be more important than a higher salary and the opportunity for career progression, according to the results of the Kelly Global Workforce Index study. It is among professionals in Portugal that some of these concerns are most felt.

Lisbon, January 19th, 2015 - Many professionals seem to be willing to give up higher salaries and the opportunity for career advancement for the chance to acquire new skills, improve their work-life balance and even the chance to take on roles with a social commitment, according to the Kelly Global Workforce Index study by Kelly Services.

In Europe, where more than half (57%) of professionals say they could sacrifice salary improvements or career progression for the opportunity to learn new skills, Portugal (72%) has the highest figure on this question.

Improving the balance between work and personal life is also important to professionals and there is a considerable group that is attracted to a job with a social dimension. In both cases, it is also in Portugal that these aspects are most valued in the European context.

According to Afonso Carvalho, Managing Director of Kelly Services Portugal, "It is clear from these results that the most attractive organizations are those that offer more than competitive salaries and benefits. They offer the opportunity to develop skills and for professionals to evolve in the performance of their duties. Although salary is still an important element in recruiting and retaining professionals, they clearly value their growth in professional terms and the relationship between this aspect and their time and personal relationships.".

The Kelly Global Workforce Index (KGWI) is an annual study conducted by Kelly Services on employment and the working environment. This year's survey was completed by 13,000 professionals in Portugal, out of a total of almost 230,000 professionals in 31 countries.