Itís the people that make a difference

Workplace relationships have a major impact on retention and job satisfaction, according to research released today by OfficeTeam, a provider of specialised administrative personnel on a temporary and full-time basis.

The 2006 UK OfficeTeam Salary Survey, a survey of over 700 executive assistants throughout the UK, reveals that 42 per cent of respondents say they would leave a position if they dislike the people they work with. Surprisingly, younger workers (16 ñ 20 years) are the least likely to leave their job because of personal differences with their colleagues (31 per cent), while those aged between 31 and 35 years are the most likely (48 per cent).

Victoria Sprott, Regional Director for OfficeTeam, comments:

ìThe relationships you share with your work colleagues are extremely important and have a significant impact on job satisfaction. Managers must recognise the value in fostering workplace relationships and be aware of barriers that prevent this from happening. Providing opportunities for employees to engage on a social level or interact with other staff members that they might not otherwise deal with in their day-to-day role is a great way to improve morale, boost retention and create a stronger sense of community.î

With workplace relationships having such a dramatic impact on job satisfaction and retention are companies doing enough to allow their staff to interact on a social basis?

When asked about their companyís ëafter-workí scene, less than one in ten (nine per cent) executive assistants say it is ëactiveí and they go out at least once a week. The majority (31 per cent) of respondents admit that social interaction with their work colleagues is ëpoorí and they rarely go out.

The most sociable regions in the UK
(% of executive assistants that say they socialise with work colleagues at least once a week)

1 ñ London (29 percent)
2 ñ Scotland (12 percent)
3 ñ Home Counties (11 percent)
4 ñ South West (9 percent)
5 ñ Thames Valley (7 percent)
5 ñ North (7 percent)
7 ñ Midlands (6 percent)
8 ñ South Coast (5 percent)

* UK average is 9 per cent

According to the survey, these results can be explained by the fact that people simply donít enjoy socialising with their work colleagues. The majority (20 per cent) of executive assistants say they only go out with their colleagues if they have to, compared to just eight per cent that say they enjoy it.

Victoria Sprott, Regional Director for OfficeTeam, comments:

ìWith a greater emphasis on family and work-life balance people are less inclined to spend more time at work than they have to. That said, managers now need to be more creative in arranging socialising opportunities. Company away days or team building exercises are a great way for employees to reconnect with each other and are less intrusive on personal time. With the Christmas party season upon us, companies have a great opportunity to re-engage staff and protect their most important asset ñ their people.î

Overwhelming, 68 per cent of respondents were in agreement that it is important to like the people you work. Female workers are most affected by workplace relationships with 48 per cent female respondents saying they would leave a position if they disliked the people they worked with, compared to 38 per cent of males.