Answer to UK productivity problems ‘much simpler than many expect’
UK employees are stifled by over-stuffy, rule-heavy workplaces, according to research by the CIPD.
Data from the institute’s latest Employee Outlook Survey (in partnership with Halogen Software), revealed that staff face significant hurdles at work, with “unnecessary rules and procedures” coming joint top with ‘not having the right resources available’, cited by 28 per cent of staff.
The third-most irritating aspect for workers was office politics, identified as a constrictor of creativity by 24 per cent of respondents.
With declining workplace productivity high on the political agenda, the results are a clear wake-up call to HRDs, according to Claire McCartney, research adviser, CIPD.
“It’s easy to forget the most important perspective on the productivity debate is that of employees themselves,” she said. “This survey gives us unique insight into what workers feel affects how well they work, and the answer is much simpler than many would probably assume.”
As well as identifying what doesn’t work for staff, the research measured what did, and found employees want interesting work (40 per cent); to be able to use their initiative (39 per cent) and to be given tasks that complement their skills (25 per cent).
“While improving productivity is a long-term project for the UK, in the shorter term, employers can help employees use their skills and ideas by focusing on developing leaders and line managers who empower rather than control staff and by designing jobs which provide sufficient autonomy,” said McCartney.
Too many unnecessary rules and too much office politics is clearly having an impact on office morale. The research also revealed a drop in employee engagement – from 39 per cent this time last year, to 36 per cent now. Survey findings suggest that a factor causing rising disengagement is people in roles where they are not doing work aligned to their skills. Amongst those that are disengaged at work, 44 per cent said they felt over-qualified.
The research suggests staff will higher engagement levels are also the most productive. It found 17 per cent of disengaged workers claimed to be unproductive, while only 3 per cent of engaged employees said the same thing.
McCartney said: “The CIPD is already speaking out on this issue. We have called on the government to work with employers and other key stakeholders to develop a strategy to create more high-skilled jobs and improve skills utilisation in the workplace. In the meantime though, a focus on empowerment and good job design can make a huge difference. The survey shows many employees see the over-qualification issue as a rectifiable one, and employers should take advantage of this.”
Dominique Jones, vice president of HR at Halogen Software, said: “Line managers need support and HR plays a critical role here in providing the guidance, tools and systems that enable managers to help their employees succeed.”