According to the Health and Safety Executive, the UK lost 27.3 million working days in 2014-15 due to work-related ill health. You’d think companies would be acting swiftly to address this. And yet the recent Britain at Work report suggests there continues to be a great deal of inertia when it comes to companies making meaningful progress with employee wellbeing and motivation.
Eminent organisational psychologist and influencer Cary Cooper discusses some of the report’s key findings in HR Magazine. Among the statistics he picks out are the following. Only 45% of employees view their organisation as supportive. Just 19% are prepared to actively recommend their company to potential new recruits. A staggering 49% would not recommend their organisation to anyone.
As Cooper observes:
'While many managers appear to have a positive view of their people management skills, this often does not tally with employees’ views of their managers.'
It’s an issue other research has highlighted too. This report from McKinsey earlier on this year refers to the fact that senior people have a ‘rose-tinted view’ about the realities of what it’s actually like for employees. The biggest perception gap? It’s around the ability of managers and leaders to motivate their employees.
What do you feel managers and employers can do to narrow this perception gap? Do you feel a manager who recognises your work by giving a little time and flexibility would be more welcome than many traditional “perks”?
Read my thoughts on this topic here.
