Pulse Survey: Argentina Inflation and Compensation

PULSE SURVEY: ARGENTINA’S INFLATION AND HR PRACTICES AT CONSULTING FIRMS

Vencon Research’s 2022 Pulse Survey provides an insight into the effects of currency devaluation and inflationary pressures in Argentina. The survey results highlight the challenges faced by firms in Argentina in retaining their employees, and the measures they are taking to address the financial hardship faced by their employees.

 

1.  HIRING RAMPED UP IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING ATTRITION

 43% of firms reported experiencing an increase in voluntary attrition, which led to a higher rate of hiring to fill vacancies. While this is a concern, it’s reassuring to see that firms are proactively responding to this trend by increasing their hiring efforts.

What is your firm’s current situation regarding your hiring practices in Argentina?

2.  RESPONSES FROM CONSULTING FIRMS

A significant majority of the respondents, 57%, reported that their employees are currently facing financial hardship due to inflation and/or currency devaluation. This is a worrying trend, but firms are taking steps to mitigate this issue with all of the firms surveyed adjusting compensation and/or extra payments in the last 12 months. An increase in base salary was the most popular measure taken to adjust compensation (29% of respondents). Additional payments(14%) and an increase in bonus/variable pay (14%) were also popular choices.

If you adjusted compensation or offered extra payments in the last 12 months due to inflation and/or currency devaluation, what did you offer to your employees?

3.  DRIVERS OF COMPENSATION DECISIONS

The key influential factors “driving” compensation were identified as inflation (86%),cost of labour (29%), fluctuations in exchange rates (14%), and a rise in the cost of living expenses (14%).

It appears that a significant proportion of respondents (approximately 43%) were unable to make predictions regarding the anticipated situation in the next 12 months in Argentina. Despite this uncertainty, most firms are planning changes to their current compensation model in the coming 12 months, with all proposing to raise the base salary by over 20% and also boost the bonus by 20%.

Which factors, criteria and the like influence your decisions with regards to any adjustments in compensation and/or extra payments and the like due to inflation and/or currency devaluation?

4.  REGULAR COMPENSATION REVIEWS ARE ESSENTIAL

Vencon Research’s 2022 “Pulse Survey” highlights the challenges that companies in Argentina face due to inflation and currency devaluation. While the results indicate a worrying trend of financial hardship among employees and an increase in voluntary attrition, the survey also highlights that firms are taking proactive measures to address these issues. With most firms planning to change their current compensation model in the coming 12 months, it’s clear that companies in Argentina need to regularly review and adjust their compensation offerings to mitigate the effects of inflation and currency devaluation.

Do you plan or expect any changes to your current practices regarding payment, payment structure?
If “yes”, what are these changes?

Should you have any further questions or would like to receive more detailed information on this topic, please reach out to us at info@venconresearch.com.