The current credit crisis has had a significant impact on staff bonuses, layoffs and workloads, according to a global member poll released by the CFA Institute.
The investment professionals association said of the 1700 members that responded, 71 per cent said their bonus had been or might be reduced or eliminated and 39 per cent said their firm had laid off or plan to lay off staff.
Fifty-seven per cent said their workload had or was likely to increase and just 3 percent said the crisis had had no impact.
Of the 220 members who responded in the Asia Pacific region, 73 per cent said their bonus had been or might be reduced or eliminated.
Thirty-two per cent said their firm had laid off or plan to lay off staff, while 48 per cent said their workload had or was likely to increase.
CFA Institute Sydney president Olivia Engel said this is undoubtedly a tough period for the entire world and career opportunities cannot be compared with those in the past.
"This means that investment professionals will need to stay competitive and adapt to changes, including keeping abreast of current issues and maintaining a high skill set," she said.
While bonuses have reduced significantly from last year a lot of people are just happy to have a job, according to Tom Hancock, managing director of recruitment agency Thomas Hancock and Associates.
"An interesting trend in the current environment, particularly with offshore companies, is they are retrenching middle to senior management," Hancock said.
"With senior and middle management being targeted, there is no question about the workload increasing for those still employed."
