UK Employee Engagement reaches all time low
July 28, 2010 at 3:07 pm 1 comment
Have you noticed how much difference it makes having the right tools for the job? I have recently bought proper running trainers for the gym. Previously I just purchased cheap trainers that I could use in a wide variety of other situations. I felt that gave me good value, but after family pressure I finally succumbed; and the performance difference has been a real eye opener.
In my experience many managers find themselves stuck using the same old strategies that appear to deliver a consistent result, and all too often the prime focus is on tasks and processes rather than people.
A recent CIPD study has shown that UK employee engagement has reached an all time low, despite the fact that there are some signs that economic growth may be returning. It suggests that only 16% of public sector staff, and 39% of private sector staff, trust their senior leaders. I find this quite a disturbing statistic; and if ever there has been a time to check out what management tools we are using, and considering what new ones to add to the tool box, it is now.
Employee engagement has been described as ‘a set of positive attitudes and behaviours enabling high job performance of a kind which are in tune with the organisation’s mission’ – Professor John Storey.
In essence, employee engagement comes down to a mix of attitudes, behaviours and outcomes and the benefits of getting that mix right are many:
- Reduced sickness absence
- Lower staff turnover
- Higher productivity
- Greater innovation
- Improved customer satisfaction
What are the key drivers of engagement?
Leadership which ensures a strong, transparent and explicit organisational culture which gives employees a line of sight between their job and the vision and aims of the organisation.
Engaging managers who offer clarity, appreciation of employees’ effort and contribution, who treat their people as individuals and who ensure that work is organised efficiently and effectively so that employees feel they are valued, and equipped and supported to do their job.
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