A larger number of workers are feeling over stressed at work according to the recent Employee Outlook survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The survey that took into account over 2,000 workers across the UK showed that net job satisfaction among employees has come down from +46 to +37 in the last six months. It also reported that the number of workers facing extreme work pressure - either every day or once or twice a week - has increased from 38% six months ago to 42%.
Additionally, the number of employees experiencing more stress and conflicts at work has been on a rise. The instances of bullying by line managers because of the economic downturn have also surged.
All these factors show that the initial ‘fixed grin’ period at the beginning of the recession, where people were happy to have a job, is now over, and the employees are now facing a lot of stress at workplace. According to Claire McCartney, resourcing and talent planning adviser at CIPD, the increased frustration among the employees is quite likely to weaken the competitiveness in the market as well as lower their own productivity. She believes the risk is higher for companies where the work stress problem is acute.
McCartney said the survey highlighted an immediate need for building resilience among the workers and finding out ways of dealing with the work pressure, which is related to both lower productivity and ill health of employees in a number of industries. However, she was quick to add that the real risk is that of a talent drain in the market, at a time when businesses need good labour to capitalise on market recovery.
McCartney stressed on the need for effective communication and consultation with the employees, so that they feel like a part of the process of organizational change and are encouraged toward improving their performance. McCartney also said that employers should ensure that their front line managers are trained so that the latter can help employees manage stress properly and keep them motivated.
Written by Giles Kendrick
giles.kendrick@googlemail.com
http://www.health-and-safety-consultants.net/
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