On the executive and non-executive levels, the average salary increases were 9.2 percent and 8.5 percent respectively. The corresponding figures for last year were 7.0 percent and 6.7 percent.
The survey--involving 50 IT and leading IT-user companies in the country--also found that the expected salary increases for 2001 are 9.8 percent (management), 10.3 percent (executive) and 9.5 percent (non-executive).
Here are some of the results of the survey which was commissioned to human resource consulting firm Watson Wyatt (M) Sdn Bhd in July this year.
The findings are meant to help Pikom (the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry Malaysia) members determine their respective positions in the IT industry in terms of total remuneration, thereby assisting them in their staff recruitment and retention policies.
Consulting function/department tops list
From the 50 IT and leading IT-user companies in Malaysia surveyed, the top three functional groups (departments) on director level in terms of total remuneration remained unchanged from last year.
Consulting Director topped the list with an average total remuneration of RM393,952 per annum, second was Sales Director with RM284,114 per annum followed by Customer Services Director (RM217,242).
The Finance Director came in fourth (up from fifth placing last year) with RM201,316 per annum, fifth HR and Admin (RM189,157) and sixth was Systems Development Director (RM180,000).
The survey also studied the various functional groups on Manager, Executive and non-Executive levels.
Average turnover increased
Average staff turnover rates among IT companies were generally higher this year compared to last year's.
Management level turnover increased from 3.9 percent last year to 7.9 percent, non-Sales executives from 8.7 percent to 12 percent, Sales executives from 9.8 percent to 12.9 percent and non-Executives from 5.4 percent to 8.5 percent.
Watson Wyatt Malaysia managing director Danny L. Quant noted however that while the rates this year were higher, this could be regarded as a plus point where the IT industry is concerned.
"Some have argued that it should be higher as this pumps in "fresh blood" into the company which could be good for the IT industry as a whole. The trick then lies in capturing this fresh blood," he said.
Such turnover, he added, could be healthy if the company concerned managed it well, for example by incorporating replacement costs in its budget at the outset as well as constructing remuneration packages that were consistent with the turnover rate.
A copy of the report is available from Pikom at RM4,000 and RM6,000 per copy for members and non-members respectively.
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