As the economy experiences economic mayhem there are some indicators that engagement levels are also dropping. This is quite disconcerting as this is when organizations need their best from everyone. What are you and your organization doing to ensure that engagement is not only sustained but enhanced during these turbulent times?
Modern Survey found a drop in employee engagement levels in the United States:
| Engagement Index Question | Percent Favorable | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. ‘07 | Aug. ‘08 | Change | |
| Takes pride in company | 78% | 71% | -7 |
| Sees promising future at company | 50% | 46% | -4 |
| Recommends company | 55% | 52% | -3 |
| Goes “above and beyond” | 57% | 52% | -5 |
| Intends to stay with company | 57% | 52% | -5 |
| Disengaged | Under Engaged | Moderately Engaged | Fully Engaged | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. ‘07 | 17% | 41% | 30% | 12% |
| Aug. ‘08 | 21% | 40% | 27% | 12% |
Don MacPherson, the president of Modern Survey, concluded:
These findings should serve as a wake-up call to leaders and managers in any type of organization. As economic conditions worsen, you’ll be counting more and more on your employees to put forth their best efforts and to pull your organization through. These results suggest that unless you pay special attention to the engagement of your workforce, and to maintaining the type of work environment in which employee engagement flourishes, fewer and fewer of your employees will be willing to “give their all” to help your company succeed.
To read the full press release from Modern Survey, click here.
Go to the top of the article, click on the small comments link, and let us know what you are experiencing and doing about employee engagement in your organization.
Great Insight. Really loved the use of the graphs and the stats, really makes this more useful for a Visual learner like myself. 🙂
Sharon,
The tables looked quite good. Now to see if I could do that again.
David
Great post, and really thought provoking. In hard ecomonic times, the organization may feel like it is ok to ignore employee engagement, thinking the employees should be thankful they still have a job at all. But like most everything else, the current economic crisis will pass, and employees will not forget how they were treated and viewed when times were tough.
Steve:
We treat people well not for instrumental reasons but because I think, as I think you do to, it is the “right” thing to do.
David
Excellent research findings, David. As you’ve reiterated, the latest research and industry experts are all saying people’s motivation (and performance) plummet during a recession as they are (1) fearful for their jobs, (2) angry about layoffs of friends and assuming their work, (3) consumed with rumors about the company’s future.
A recessionary economy is precisely when companies need to get the most productivity out of fewer employees, however. Annual bonuses and even pay raises are increasingly not an option this year. So, how do you address these concerns?
Strategic employee recognition reaffirms people in the value of their contributions, acknowledges the additional work and effort they are being asked to perform, and allays rumors through frequently updated executive messages. Done correctly, employees also understand how their specific efforts help the company achieve its strategic goals. All of this combines to increase morale and productivity.