LEADERSHIP AND WORKER ENGAGEMENT Whats in it for me and my business?

Research shows companies with highly engaged employees achieve a financial performance four times greater than companies with poor engagement

…I knew that without getting the workforce fully engaged and committed the company would die. Instead of which it was reborn (The McLeod Report).

This company has seen a growth in turnover from £85 million in 2000 to £1 billion in 2008.

[if staff] feel that they have got the company behind them…they are more motivated to take responsibility.

One company said that Leadership and worker engagement approaches cut accidents by half on their sites…

…we have been able to demonstrate the benefits of consulting with our workforce both directly employed and through our supply chain for making business improvements. Gerry Mulholland, HSE Leader CHT part of Laing ORourke Group For more information how they achieved this click here

Reducing accidents and incidents saves you money in the long-run.

They will help you with your legal responsibilities and obligations towards your workers

The Health and Safety(Offences)Act 2009 means that Courts have greater powers to fine and imprison those who break health and safety law.

Even The Magistrates Court can impose a maximum £20,000 fine and a prison sentence. Can you afford that to happen to you?

Still not convinced? Then think about the price of getting it wrong.

On Friday 31 July 2009, a crane company was fined £125,000 and ordered to pay costs of £264,299. The company was found guilty at Crown Court of two health and safety breaches that led to the death of two workers and injured a third. hhttp://

In ,000 construction workers suffered from an illness caused or made worse by their job.

In million days were lost to work- related ill-health. Thats 1.1 days for each worker!

Nearly 4,000 major injuries are reported to HSE by the Construction Industry every year.

In , 0.6 million days were lost due to workplace injury. Thats 0.27 days per worker!

And what about the other hidden costs…? Work slows down…. It might even stop…. And the additional paperwork!

It all adds up! 17.8 working days are lost in the construction industry per injury

Accidents in construction can account for 2 – 6 % of total project costs.

A serious disruption to lasting more than 9 days could put you out of business.

In 2007 there were 2156 meso-thelioma deaths (a type of cancer from exposure to asbestos)

In the last 25 years, 2,800 people have died as a result of an accident on a building site.

That means 2,800 grieving families

Jennifers husband was killed on a building site…

It wasnt a big thing that caused [Kieron] to die…It wasnt something major. It was something small.

Simple changes would have made a big difference to these people and their families.

If something happens have you got a cushion against accidental losses?

If you think your insurance company will cover all your costs think again!

What your insurance does not cover when there is an accident Delays Investigation time Lost time Sick Pay Extra wages Over time Temporary labour Damage or loss of product and raw materials Repairs to plant and equipment Fines Legal Costs Loss of contractsLoss of Business Reputation

There are other reasons why it might pay you to develop your leadership and engagement skills.

If you dont have the people, and you dont look after the people doing the job then you wont have a business… Jennifer Deeney

The activities are not magical or new, they are all common sense and good management but in this case engaging with employees has shown just what can be done. The important thing is to make a start. (A Manager giving evidence for The McLeod Report)