What’s Bugging Employees? The Workers Index & Employee Engagement Alexandra Jones Associate Director, The Work Foundation 25 April 2006

© The Work Foundation. Overview High performing organisations Challenges facing all organisations TWF & MORI joint investigation of public and private sector views on: –Senior managers –Organisation –Services. Why the results matter

© The Work Foundation. High Performing Organisations People Customers & Markets Innovation Shareholders Stakeholders Revenue Growth Added Value per Employee Profitability Share Price Performance Productivity Outcomes of Managing Across Five Factors Source: Cowling et al (2005) Cracking the Performance Code: TWF

© The Work Foundation. ‘Soft’ Factors in High Performing Organisations 1.Communication 2.Leadership 3.Structures 4.Processes 5.Culture & Employee Relations Human Capital is one of several drivers of success in high performing organisations.

© The Work Foundation. Organisational Challenges Market Diversity  Open markets  Greater competition  Mass customisation  Variable channels  Regulation Business Diversity Fragmented value chains Alliances & joint ventures Complex matrix structures Cross functional teamwork Outsourcing, co-sourcing Workforce Diversity Changing demographics Need and reward for talent Weakening barriers Diverse styles, approaches, aspirations

© The Work Foundation. Why Good People Management Matters organisational leadership and culture HR policies and practices line management employee behaviours superior performance Institute for Employment Studies model

© The Work Foundation. Workers Index Results: “Senior management have a clear vision of where this organisation is going” “Don’t know” responses have been excluded

© The Work Foundation. “Senior management have a clear vision of where this organisation is going” Showing ‘net agree’

© The Work Foundation. “Senior management have a clear vision of where this organisation is going” Showing ‘net agree’

© The Work Foundation. Which of these phrases best describes the way you would speak of your organisation AS AN EMPLOYER to other people? “Don’t know” responses have been excluded

© The Work Foundation. Which of these phrases best describes the way you would speak about the SERVICES YOUR ORGANISATION PROVIDES to other people? “Don’t know” responses have been excluded

© The Work Foundation. …the way you would speak of your organisation as an employer to others Showing ‘net advocacy’

© The Work Foundation. …the way you would speak of the services your organisation provides to others Showing ‘net advocacy’

© The Work Foundation. Which three or four things are most needed to help YOU do a better job?

© The Work Foundation. Which three or four things are most needed to help YOU do a better job? By advocacy of employer, October 2005

© The Work Foundation. Which three or four things are most needed to help YOU do a better job? By advocacy of services, October 2005

© The Work Foundation. Which three or four things are most needed to help YOU do a better job? By sector, October 2005

© The Work Foundation. Why does this matter? Line Management Company Culture Employee Commitment Customer satisfaction with service Customer Spending Intention Change in Sales Employee Absence Source: IES, 1999

© The Work Foundation. Drivers of Job Satisfaction & Turnover Intentions Turnover Intentions Training and Development Job Satisfaction Rewards Career Development Work-Life Balance Enjoy Professional Services R 2 =.43

© The Work Foundation. Potential consequences of low morale Performance Withdrawal from task Absence Temporary withdrawal from workplace Resignation Permanent withdrawal from workplace Sabotage Passive aggression/going ‘Postal’ Lateness Poor timekeeping & frequent lateness

© The Work Foundation. Important elements of good people management Work organisation & job redesign Management & leadership Performance management & reward Engagement Skills Health & Well-Being Work-Life Balance

© The Work Foundation. Implications for Public and Private Sector Need to focus more on people management aligned to organisation Management and leadership Voice & engagement Organisational pride Honest, transparent communications Not just about pay

© The Work Foundation. Further Information General information is available here: There is more information on the Workers Index here: Or on the work-life balance site we run: Alternatively, if you would like further information on the Workers Index, our research or the surveys we do for organisations, please contact me on: