In times of economic turmoil, when unemployment is high and tech jobs are scarce, employed IT professionals want to know their jobs are secure, according to a recent Dice.com poll. CIOs who need to reward and retain key IT staff must find ways to show those employees that they're indispensible. Recognition is not enough. A survey conducted by IT research firm Gartner earlier this year pinpointed the staffing conundrum facing CIOs today: It’s hard to reward and retain key IT staff who weren’t laid off from their organizations when there’s no money in the IT budget for raises. Technology professionals polled by IT job board Dice.com in July have a clear solution to that problem. When asked what companies could offer in lieu of a salary increase to reward and motivate them, the 431 IT professionals who took the survey indicated that they want their employers to give them a sense of stability in a volatile economy or more flexibility. [ More on morale: 6 Ways to Boost Employee Morale, 7 Tips for Keeping IT Employees Upbeat, There’s No Quick Fix for Bad Morale ] Survey respondents were asked to choose which one of four reward and recognition options was most important to them: 1) a guarantee of job security, 2) company-funded training and certification classes, 3) flexible work hours or 4) C-level recognition. Slightly more than one-third (35 percent) selected job security as their number one choice. Company-funded training and certification classes and flexible work hours ran a close second and third, respectively, with 32 percent and 31 percent of the votes. Few IT professionals care about a high-five from the CIO, it seems. Just two percent of respondents (the suck-ups) said C-level recognition was most important to them. Dice.com CMO Tom Silver says he wasn’t surprised by the survey results. “Everyone loves a pat on the back, but relative to the other choices, particularly in a tough market, people are more interested in tangible rewards,” he says. A guarantee of job security, which will keep food on the table and debt collectors off an IT worker’s back, or company-sponsored training demonstrate very clearly a company’s commitment to its employees and the employees’ value to the company. Company sponsored training, in particular, sends the message to employees that even though the employer can’t give them more money via their paychecks, they’re at least willing to invest in their employees via training, says Silver. Training may also be the best solution to IT leaders’ staffing challenges. Says Silver, “They realize they can not go out and hire more people. Therefore, they have to make the most of the technology professionals they have. Investing in their current employees is by far the most efficient way to go.” Follow me on Twitter @meridith. Related content brandpost How an Indian real-estate juggernaut keeps growing by harnessing the power of zero A South Indian real-estate titan is known for the infinite variety and impressive scale of its projects, but one of its most towering achievements amounts to nothing literally. By Michael Kure, SAP Contributor May 31, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Hybrid working: the new workplace normal IT leaders discuss how a more broadly dispersed workforce impacts device deployment, connectivity, and the employee experience, even as more workers return to the office. By Michael Krieger May 31, 2023 5 mins Remote Work opinion Can you spot the hidden theme of CSO’s Future of Cybersecurity summit? By Beth Kormanik May 31, 2023 2 mins Events Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence case study How IT leaders use EV tech to fuel the transport revolution in Kenya Many African nations are starting to invest in electric vehicle (EV) transportation as a means to broaden access and help keep pace with global environmental initiatives. In Kenya, strides are being made despite industry and tech leaders grappling to By Vincent Matinde May 31, 2023 5 mins CIO CTO Emerging Technology Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe