The abundance of both permanent and contract job opportunities in Romania in 2024 is a positive indicator of a more stable labor market. However, employers face challenges in retaining and recruiting due to budget limitations and a shortage of qualified personnel. Hence, it's crucial for organizations to focus on strategies for attracting and retaining employees, which may involve adjusting pay scales to balance cost optimization and talent acquisition.

Employers in Romania are recognizing the pivotal role of people within their organizations more than ever, driving a continuous recruitment effort. Nearly 90% of employers are anticipated to maintain open vacancies for permanent positions in 2024. Additionally, there's a notable uptick of 6% in contingent hirings, including freelancers and contractors, as companies seek flexible staffing solutions for specific roles and short-term projects, often proving more cost-effective than full-time hires.

Amidst a focus on recovery and stability, employee retention emerges as a strategic priority, with over half of employers (54%) ranking it as their top concern. The average attrition rate in Romanian companies, standing at around 18%, underscores the critical importance of retention efforts for sustained business health and growth.

In light of these trends, employer branding initiatives are gaining prominence, playing a pivotal role in attracting and retaining talent for forward-thinking organizations. The doubling of businesses prioritizing employer branding compared to the previous year signals a growing acknowledgment of the significance of employee perception in today's fiercely competitive talent landscape.

Salary adjustments are also in the spotlight, with 54% of companies planning increases of up to 10%. However, this falls short of the expectations of a matching percentage of employees, who deem a raise of over 10% as optimal.