PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT
UK workers trust bosses less than US counterparts
UK workers' attitudes towards senior management are significantly worse than those of their US counterparts, with less than a third expressing trust and confidence in their leaders, according to research by Watson Wyatt.
In its WorkUK and WorkUSA surveys, Watson Wyatt found that while 51% of employees in the US had trust and confidence in the job being done by their organisation’ s leaders, only 31% of UK workers felt the same.
Andrew Cocks, European head of employee research at Watson Wyatt, said: "UK business leaders can take little comfort from these results. There is a clear need for a better dialogue between management and employees and the development of a real climate of openness and trust, especially if we are going to compete effectively with the US in the new ‘ cheap dollar’ world."
"Lack of confidence in senior management does not just make for a difficult atmosphere at work," said Andrew Cocks. "Our research shows that it can hit the bottom line hard. In an employee survey we recently conducted for a major European company, belief in senior management proved to be the strongest leading indicator of new product sales and was their top business performance indicator.
Effective communication
According to Watson Wyatt, effective communication is a key way in which leaders can build trust with employees. But only 30% of UK workers believe that management explains the reasons behind major decisions and as few as 18% believe that management successfully involves employees in decision making.
"Greater mutual understanding has to be key to the future success of business in the UK," said Andrew Cocks. "In order to play an active part in taking any organisation forward, employees need to understand and support any vision leaders have for the future and know how they can contribute to the process in their day to day work. Our research has consistently shown a link between factors such as employee alignment and commitment and enhanced business and financial performance."
Want to know more?
Title: WorkUK and WorkUSA surveys, Watson Wyatt.
Methodology: The WorkUK and WorkUSA surveys involve a "representative sample" of over 15,000 private sector workers in the US and UK. The surveys are part of Watson Wyatt’ s Work Series which also includes surveys of workers from the Asia-Pacific region and continental Europe and is one of the "largest and most statistically representative surveys of the attitudes of employees worldwide".
The 2004-05 survey cycle includes responses from over 120,000 employees worldwide across a range of large and medium-sized employers incorporating all job levels and industry sectors. As part of Watson Wyatt’ s global benchmarking capability of employee opinions, the studies also examine areas such as communications, pay and benefits, performance management, HR effectiveness and work-life balance.
Availability: To find out more contact Claire Barraclough, tel: +44 (0) 1737 273390, email: claire.barraclough@eu.watsonwyatt.com
Watson Wyatt is a global consulting firm focusing on human capital and financial management. It specialises in employee benefits, human capital strategies, and insurance and financial services. Watson Wyatt has more than 6,000 associates in 88 offices around the world. For more details visit www.watsonwyatt.com
Posted 22 March 2005