KIRKLEES firms risk losing key employees as a result of pay freezes and lack of benefits, it is claimed.

Research by the Institute of Leadership and Management among 2,500 workers in 1,000 private sector firms revealed that half of them were unhappy in their job – with managers the most likely to look for a new job.

The figures were highlighted by financial planning and consultancy business Towergate Financial, which has offices at Lindley.

The company aims to tackle the issue by launching its own employee benefits package, Towergate Advantage.