Managers out of touch with workers priorities

Nine out of ten employees said achieving a good work-life balance was important to them, whereas they believe that fewer than two thirds of managers recognise this. Meanwhile, managers consider factors such as recognition, salary and management style are more critical contributors to job satisfaction. This is according to research released today commissioned by Randstad and conducted by MORI.

These are some of the key findings of Randstadís UK employment survey, amongst employees and managers throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The findings support the current call for increased flexibility in the labour market.

Commenting on the survey results, Hans Hoogeveen, Randstad UKís Managing Director, said: ìThe importance of work-life balance has been a hot topic in the news lately, and as our survey shows, it continues to be of great concern for British workers. It is worrying though to find that managers appear not to be in touch with the priorities of the people they employ and think that factors such as recognition and the way they are managed are more significant motivators for staff.î

The research results found that flexible working hours and work-life balance were a major reason why some people do temporary work. However, findings also indicate that the attraction of flexible working is undermined by concerns over economic uncertainty and perceptions that flex-working does not afford the same level of security as permanent employment. Only six per cent of respondents agreed that they would seriously consider giving up their permanent job to take on a temporary role.

Continues Hoogeveen:
ìWhen asked what would make temporary work more appealing, respondents cited guaranteed work, pensions schemes, holiday entitlement and training opportunities as key. Significantly a number of these are provisions included under the Randstad Flex-Worker Charter, pioneered in Britain in August 2000, which gives flex-workers a range of benefits previously only available to permanent employees, thereby making flex-working a real alternative.î

As part of its UK employment survey Randstad also interviewed a selection of its own flex-workers to gauge levels of job satisfaction and understand the key motivators behind their decision to leave permanent employment.

70 per cent of Randstadís flex-workers said that they would recommend flex-working to others, and three in five agreed they are treated as well as permanent employees. The use of temporary workers is on the increase, but the findings suggest that one in six managers donít know where to go to look for a new employee.

The survey reveals that most workers in the UK are happy in their current job:

Four in five workers (77 per cent) said they were happy in their job, but a quarter of workers feel insecure ñ a feeling held by more men than women

63 per cent of employees feel valued and recognised by their employer for the work they do, and more surprisingly and contrary to recent media reports, more women than men feel this way ñ 70 per cent compared to 58 per cent of men.

The survey also highlights that, as the Government discusses an increase to the retirement age, although nearly half of British workers realise that they may have to wait until theyíre 65 before they retire, less than a fifth would be happy to stay working that long.

For a full copy of the UK Employment Survey results, please contact your local Randstad branch or visit www.uk.randstad.com, or call 01635 589 222. Copies of the 2004 Workpocket can also be obtained from your local branch.