Employee loyalty and the recession
Our recent Kelly survey of over 5000 New Zealand employees highlighted a significant increase in workplace loyalty following the recession.
But what motivates that sense of loyalty? According to Kiwi employees, it’s the very elements of your business that will drive greater productivity, efficiency and profit. Your staff want to be able to work to their full potential, to face challenges and have their skills developed.
But to really succeed, your employees are also demanding great leadership.
When employees were asked the question: ‘What one factor would be most likely to cause you to leave your organisation?’ the leading answer was poor management. Employees of all ages and backgrounds rated poor management above factors like lack of opportunities for advancement and poor staff morale.
To maintain an engaged and productive workforce, Kiwis are clearly saying they want to be challenged and extended, while being led by positive, confident managers.
And it’s not only current employees who are interested in the quality of management in your organisation, but potential employees as well.
The quality of leadership and management in a company are some of the first things a possible employee evaluates.
What the Kelly survey has revealed is that the strength of your employer brand is one of the strongest influencing factors – internally and externally – in staff engagement. And that brand is built on a strong leadership team.
The recession has paid an unlooked-for dividend in workplace engagement. The hard work of managers and employers – often with a focus on business survival and stability – has been recognised by employees, who are now more engaged and motivated.
They are also ready to take on new challenges. And work with you – not necessarily at greater cost – on the growth and development of your business.
The new workplace environment is ready for a new, engaged and productive future. And new and existing employees are waiting to take on emerging opportunities. All they are waiting for is leadership, and a clear vision of what that future could bring.
