Reflecting the tougher business conditions predicted[2], the research – carried out by YouGov for Investors in People UK, which works with organisations to improve performance – reveals that 69% of UK employees anticipate they will experience some changes[3] in the workplace over the coming year, including increased workload (46%), a new manager (14%), news they may lose their job (14%) or relocation (14%). 

The research also found that many employees are concerned about their employer’s ability to manage them through these periods of change.  Although 43% of staff with a line manager felt confident that their organisation would make the right decision for the future success of the organisation, almost half (49%) felt that their organisation wouldn’t listen to their views.  Furthermore, more than a third (35%) said they wouldn’t feel confident they would be informed of change in a timely or appropriate way and 38% doubted their organisation would be honest and transparent about what was happening and why.  Worryingly, 56% of employees say the most common sign of change in their organisation is an increase in meetings happening behind closed doors or hushed conversations.

The research highlights the importance of employers actively managing change in the workplace to ensure it doesn’t have a negative impact on motivation and productivity. Commenting on the findings, Simon Jones, Chief Executive at Investors in People UK, said:

“To ensure productivity and motivation levels do not suffer in the current climate, it’s important that employers actively manage change in the right way.  With more than two–thirds of the workforce expecting to experience a change in the workplace in the next 12 months bosses must pay heed to employees’ views on how they’d like to be kept informed in times of change.

“The research suggests employers can make all the difference by delivering news of important changes to their staff via a one-to-one meeting, by seeking views and listening to feedback, and by offering support, whatever the changes being implemented.  This is vital information for managers who are making tough business decisions and need to ensure they take their people with them to deliver the best results for their employees and the organisation.”

The research shows that employees want to be managed in a personal way – the majority (68%) want to hear news of change that affects them via a one-to-one meeting with their boss.  During a period of significant change:

• 77% of employees want their manager to provide all the information available so they can draw their own conclusions – currently almost half (43%) think they would be given some information but not the full picture;
• just under two thirds (65%) would like their manager to seek their views and listen, yet only 38% think this would happen;
• over half (55%) would like their manager to offer them support, yet less than a third (32%) think this would happen.

Ends.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact the Investors in People press office on 020 7544 3118.

Notes to editor:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,452 UK adults who work in a company/ business with 2 employees or more. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28th July –  8^th August 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures are unweighted.

Investors in People:

• The Investors in People Standard provides a practical framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development.
• An organisation that has achieved the Standard has been successful in adopting and maintaining its three fundamental principles: Plan - developing strategies to improve the performance of the organisation, from business goals to leadership strategies; Do - implementing those strategies, taking action to improve the performance of the organisation; Review - evaluating and adjusting those strategies, measuring their impact on the performance of the organisation.
• The Investors in People framework is promoted, developed and delivered by Investors in People UK – an organisation whose main stakeholder is the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
• The Investors in People framework is delivered by a partner network:  

1. In England, the network of Investors in People Centres.
2. In Scotland, Scottish Enterprise (SE) or Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
3. In Wales, the Business Skills Delivery Team at the Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Welsh Assembly Government.
4. In Northern Ireland, the Department for Employment of Learning.