UK workers are "disengaged", says study

Date: 06/12/2010

Employee motivation in the UK is the lowest in Europe, according to research.

The study, by consultants Hay Group, found that 29 per cent of staff are disengaged, which has been defined as "unwilling to go the extra mile for their firms".

This figure makes UK workers the most disengaged in Europe, as it compares with 18 per cent in France, 14 per cent in Germany, 12 per cent in Spain and 11 per cent in the Netherlands.

And this is something that employers are well aware of, as the study also revealed that 82 per cent of executives said that disengaged employees were a problem, and 52 per cent said the issue was regularly discussed at board meetings.

Graeme Yell, director at Hay Group, said: "Employee engagement is understandably vulnerable after two years of recession and uncertainty, and disengaged employees can have a detrimental effect on a business' bottom line."

He advised bosses to tackle the problems to avoid suffering financially and losing workers.

A recent report by the Work Foundation recommended that to increase staff motivation, bosses should 'strike a deal' with staff, and make them feel their opinions are listened to.

Posted by David Farrior 

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