Companies need to do more to retain staff as competition for top candidates intensifies, according to IT recruiter ReThink Recruitment.

It says IT staff retention is becoming a major issue for employers because unemployment amongst IT workers is 5.2% nationally. To combat the problem it suggests companies need to consider reintroducing some of the perks and benefits enjoyed by IT six years ago, before the downturn struck.

Managing director Jon Butterfield says: “The IT market is becoming increasingly candidate driven and there is a definite movement of skills into the freelance market.

“One third of offers for permanent IT staff are now being bought-back and 90% of counter offers are for significantly more money,” he adds.

ReThink Recruitment has offered top tips for retaining staff, these include: competitive remuneration, offering a variety of project work, introducing recognition programmes, offering training, offering flexible work/remote working and offering sense of responsibility.