Here are some interesting factoids from the latest Towers Perrin Workplace Watch:
- A 7% drop in workers stating they can balance work and personal responsibilities in just the last quarter.
- Almost three-quarters (74%) of employees agree their company’s structure facilitates efficient operations, up from 66% in the last quarter of 2008 and 58% in the first quarter of 2008, suggesting the latest rounds of restructuring have been done thoughtfully and in a manner that doesn’t automatically demand doing more with less.
- Seventy-one percent agree they’re not seriously considering leaving their current job, up from 64% in the last quarter of 2007.
- Only 69% of employees agree that they clearly understand their company’s broad goals, down a striking 10 percentage points from 79% in the fourth quarter of 2008
Here is the conclusion from Max Caldwell, a Managing Principal of Towers Perrin:
Companies need to focus on five things.
One, getting leaders out front to talk with employees about the business environment and how the organization is responding as well as the long-term vision and what the organization stands for.
Two, involving employees in efforts to manage costs to help them feel like active contributors.
Three, communicating consistently and candidly about both short- and long-term objectives.
Four, listening and gathering input from employees.
And finally, promoting development opportunities so people can see a future for themselves worth working toward.
To read the Towers Perrin summary, click here.
In my own organization, we were asked to help management find ways to improve efficiency and develop cost-saving measures. I really appreciated the opportunity to provide feedback, and thought that incorporating the employees was a smart move. Pulling together as an organization sends the message that “we are all in it together” – I think that goes a long way toward maintaining employee engagement during difficult times.