Employees are often said be an organisation’s greatest asset, yet over recent years, the UK workforce has been treated as an expensive overhead, reduced or stretched to meet management’s changing priorities. Businesses have had to make tough decisions and managers forced to deliver tactical efficiency goals rather than business effectiveness. As a result, the mantra that states “our greatest asset is our people” now seems like a distant memory to many blue collar workers.
Our recent ‘Forgotten Workforce’ report showed that morale and job satisfaction amongst UK workers in sectors such as hospitality, manufacturing and contract services is worryingly low. The effects of the credit crunch then the extensive recession have taken their toll. Employees have endured a series of blows to morale, including the introduction of zero hours, cuts to their working hours and pay freezes. So what can we do to help re-invigorate the UK workforce?
According to our research, many workers do not feel appreciated for the work that they do, with 46% of employees stating they work longer hours than they are paid for at least once a month.
Just under half of employees (48%) also suggested that employers regularly underestimate the number of people needed for a specific shift. So, not only are employers unaware of how many hours employees are working, but even how many employees are needed in the first place.
It’s hardly surprising then that only 25% of respondents feel that their employer is very good at managing the workforce. However, for front-line workers this directly impacts their ability to do their job, increases stress levels and is a contributing factor to their disengagement from the business.
Yet despite these factors, the research also showed the UK workers are desperate to be engaged with by their employers. They want to be included in company successes and most of all to have greater flexibility and control of their working hours.
Rather than treating the UK workforce as an afterthought, it’s time for businesses to take note and create a stronger dialogue with employees. Technology such as workforce management systems, can ensure that front-line staff have equal interest in controlling their hours, managing their activities and forward planning their availability with their line managers.
Simple steps like recording reasons for employee absence, ensuring there is the correct number of people available for each shift and adequate means to monitor overtime can also help limit levels of unhappiness in the work place, as well as increasing job satisfaction and improving employee engagement.
The UK workforce no longer wants to be forgotten and they certainly don’t want to fade into the background. They want to be heard and appreciated for their hard work. The time is now for businesses to wake up and start listening.
Employees are often said be an organisation’s greatest asset, yet over recent years, the UK workforce has been treated as an expensive overhead, reduced or stretched to meet management’s changing priorities. Businesses have had to make tough decisions and managers forced to deliver tactical efficiency goals rather than business effectiveness. As a result, the mantra that states “our greatest asset is our people” now seems like a distant memory to many blue collar workers.
Our recent ‘Forgotten Workforce’ report showed that morale and job satisfaction amongst UK workers in sectors such as hospitality, manufacturing and contract services is worryingly low. The effects of the credit crunch then the extensive recession have taken their toll. Employees have endured a series of blows to morale, including the introduction of zero hours, cuts to their working hours and pay freezes. So what can we do to help re-invigorate the UK workforce?
According to our research, many workers do not feel appreciated for the work that they do, with 46% of employees stating they work longer hours than they are paid for at least once a month.
Just under half of employees (48%) also suggested that employers regularly underestimate the number of people needed for a specific shift. So, not only are employers unaware of how many hours employees are working, but even how many employees are needed in the first place.
It’s hardly surprising then that only 25% of respondents feel that their employer is very good at managing the workforce. However, for front-line workers this directly impacts their ability to do their job, increases stress levels and is a contributing factor to their disengagement from the business.
Yet despite these factors, the research also showed the UK workers are desperate to be engaged with by their employers. They want to be included in company successes and most of all to have greater flexibility and control of their working hours.
Rather than treating the UK workforce as an afterthought, it’s time for businesses to take note and create a stronger dialogue with employees. Technology such as workforce management systems, can ensure that front-line staff have equal interest in controlling their hours, managing their activities and forward planning their availability with their line managers.
Simple steps like recording reasons for employee absence, ensuring there is the correct number of people available for each shift and adequate means to monitor overtime can also help limit levels of unhappiness in the work place, as well as increasing job satisfaction and improving employee engagement.
The UK workforce no longer wants to be forgotten and they certainly don’t want to fade into the background. They want to be heard and appreciated for their hard work. The time is now for businesses to wake up and start listening.
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