8 in 10 workers are satisfied in their job and have no intention to leave

The Peninsula BusinessWise survey showed that 8 in 10 employees were happy in their job, and that 8 in 10 workers feel that their performance is recognised and rewarded by their boss. Good pay is by far the top factor highlighted when employees were asked why they were happy and content in their job; this is in turn followed by effective management and company benefits. From a Peninsula polled survey of 1,398 employees conducted between January and March 2007 from a variety of industries across the United Kingdom.

86% of employees are happy working for their current employer
83% of employees feel their boss values their importance
81% of employees believe they are rewarded for good performance
77% of workers are not looking to leave their current job

What do you think makes a good employer?

Good rate of pay - 43%
Effective management (bosses who listen and respect workers) - 19%
Company benefits - 17%
Office culture - 12%
Other - 9%

Peter Done, Managing Director of Peninsula provides quote and comment:

Nowadays it appears that employees are simply motivated by one thing, money. The business environment is becoming increasingly cutthroat, and in order for employers to keep hold of their top employees they are being forced to break the bank. I believe this to be because the world itself is becoming ever more focused on money, the levels of which in specific sectors of everyday life have been increasing massively over the last few years. If a member of staff simply wants more money they will leave their job and find one the pays what they require, often sacrificing other fundamentals of their employment in the process.

Striking a balance between professional and personal satisfaction in the workplace is a common dilemma for many of todayís employers. Whilst employers try to promote a flexible workplace with equal opportunities and recognition for hard work, increasing workloads require employees to input longer hours; as such finding the right balance can be very difficult. Many of the elements that create a great working environment cost employers absolutely nothing. Culture is an essential component of creating a great working environment; and itís your workers who constitute this culture. As such, having the right people in place is important.

It is important to communicate with employees on a regular basis, whether itís through appraisals or through regular one to one meetings. A good employer will always willingly listen and respond to their workersí issues or grievances. Employees want to know what is going on throughout the company, and this adds to a general feeling of importance and valued contribution. For if employees are not informed and are simply left in ignorance it can lead to confusion and worry. Employers can also communicate with their employees through implementing staff surveys once or twice a year to gauge their opinions and general satisfaction. Of course employees will be happy if they receive mentioned benefits such as, a pension, a company car, holiday pay or a uniform allowance. However the survey showed that employees also take into consideration the benefits potential employers offer when applying for jobs.