NHS embodies quality employee engagement outlined in new Government report

The NHS has been recognised for its progress in all the criteria that a new Government report defines as the cornerstones for future quality employee engagement. The government was today presented with the recommendations for promoting employee engagement in the UK from the independent MacLeod Review, led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and will decide how to take these forward.

Alastair Henderson, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Employers, says: ìWe are pleased that the MacLeod Review recognises work in the NHS as at the forefront of effective employee engagement among organisations from all sectors. The Macleod Review uses examples from the NHS in its recommendations for effective employee engagement to help inspire good practise and promote debate among other organisations.

ìStaff engagement is the key to improving productivity and improving services. Within the NHS there is a national commitment to staff engagement and there are many NHS organisations in which it is now embedded as the way things are done. NHS Employers is working with English NHS trusts to continue developing their skills and capacity across all the key areas cited in the report.î

The MacLeod Review recommends the following cornerstones of effective employee engagement and notes that the NHS is effective in each of these areas:

The government should work to raise awareness of employee engagement benefits and techniques

A senior sponsor group bringing together representatives from business, the public sector, not-for-profit organisations and unions, should be set up to boost understanding of this vital topic – many leading figures leaders have already agreed to be part of this group
The government and its agencies should work together to ensure their support is aligned and tailored to the needs of different organisations in different sectors of the economy seeking to enhance levels of employee engagement
A range of more practical support for organisations who want to raise levels of employee engagement should be made available by March 2010. This support should be designed in consultation with businesses and other organisations to ensure it is tailored to their needs.

Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is among the trusts mentioned in the Review. Margaret Jackson, Director of Human Resources at the Trust adds: ìA big part of Aintreeís success lies with a strong and productive working relationship between the Trust management and staffside representatives. We value staff engagement and we do everything we can to encourage our workforce to get involved in organisational issues and by doing so help the Trust achieve mutually beneficial objectives, as well as ultimately improving the experience of our patients through high quality care.

ìStaff engagement is an ongoing process and I believe it can help us to be regarded as a model employer - within the NHS and beyond - with a reputation for excellence in people management, while building a stronger Trust. We are delighted that Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been recognised in the MacLeod Review.î

A large body of research is now available that together provide a compelling case for the value of employee engagement. This includes:

Analysis of research across 200 organisations shows that moving a workforce of 10,000 employees from low to high engagement can have a 21million impact on the bottom line (1)

A study of 664,000 employees from around the world when compared to key business ratios showed a 52% gap in one year performance improvement in operating income between companies with highly engaged employees versus companies with low engagement scores (2)

Engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave the organisation than the disengaged (3)


The MacLeod Review was announced in September 2008 with the aim to define effective employee engagement, examine the barriers which are preventing businesses engaging with their employees and consider non-regulatory solutions that can be offered to help business overcome such obstacles. It was produced in consultation with businesses, trade unions, academic institutions, business associations and organisations in the public / third sector. It was led by David MacLeod, a renowned expert in this field and author of The Extra Mile, working with Nita Clarke from the IPA.

(1) DDI ìThe key to realising competitive advantage, 2007î.
(2) ISR : Engaged Employees Help Boost the Bottom Line 2006.
(3) Corporate Leadership Council: Driving performance and retention through employee engagement 2004.
The full report is available at http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=431&N...