Productivity prioritised over employee motivation, research shows

Date: 02/11/2010

Employee motivation is not as important to businesses as productivity, research shows.

Health of the Workplace, an annual report by Aviva Health, shows that 30 per cent of businesses want maximum profitability for headcount, and 39 per cent demand a highly productive and flexible team.

This attitude has resulted in a stressed workforce, as early half (47 per cent) said they feel more tense at work than at home. This is echoed by 29 per cent of employers, who admit they could improve their employees' work-life balance.

Dr Doug Wright, principal clinical consultant at Aviva UK Health, said: "The study suggests that while employers are making some very positive moves towards creating a healthy workplace environment, the overwhelming priority is still on financial performance."

Dr Wright said that this would have negative long-term effects on staff motivation and morale, and that businesses need to achieve a better balance.

A report published in October by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) showed that stress–related absence from work has increased.

But the Aviva study did show that 27 per cent of employers prioritised a motivated team who enjoy working together, and a quarter wanted a friendly company with a good work-life balance. 

Written by Michelle Fry

Related Articles:

Employee motivation: Staff see improvement in work-life balance
Employee motivation: Letting staff watch key Olympic events could boost morale
Employee motivation: Workplace pride defies recession
Employee motivation: Staff wellbeing toolkit launched
Employee motivation: How to spot a good employer

 

› Return