PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT
Less than half of UK workers trust management
Initial findings from a new study by Mercer Human Resource Consulting confirms what many people already suspect: UK workers do not have a great deal of trust in management.
Mercer's Britain at Work study surveyed over 3,500 workers in the UK. Fewer than four in ten of these workers (38%) trust management to always communicate honestly.
Paul Sanchez, head of communication consulting at Mercer, said: "The research shows that many employees question the information they receive from management, and wonder whether they are being told the full story. What's more troubling is that this level of distrust is most pronounced amongst long-service workers - the very people who know their organisation best."
Lack of real two-way communication . . .
At a local level, employees generally feel free to express their views and two-thirds say their manager encourages open and honest two-way communication. However, only four in ten of those surveyed (42%) believe sufficient effort is made to get the opinions and thinking of people who work in the organisation.
"At the heart of the motivational process is regular and reliable two-way communication. The authentic sharing of relevant, timely information is the only antidote for cynical disbelief and alienation. Successful organisations tend to have robust two-way communication programmes," said Sanchez.
. . . leads to lack of confidence in management
Not surprisingly, limited two-way communication also results in a lack of real confidence in management. Fewer than half the workers surveyed (46%) believe that their organisation as a whole is well managed.
Failure to live up to company values
Although 60% of respondents report that their organisation's values have been well communicated, only 52% feel that the values provide clear direction for employees. What's more, only 44% believe that management's behaviour is consistent with company values.
Pride and commitment
Despite the concerns about trust and two-way communication, the majority of UK workers continue to derive satisfaction, and take pride in their work. As many as 72% report that their work gives them a feeling of personal accomplishment, while 60% say that they feel a strong sense of commitment to their organisation.
A final word
"A company's values express how the organisation is striving to act and behave. They represent the touchstone for guiding and evaluating behaviour. These values become real and meaningful only when managers lead by example through their decisions and behaviours. Where this isn't the case, employees can become disaffected, and the values become nothing more than a poster on the wall." - Paul Sanchez, head of communication consulting, Mercer Human Resource Consulting
Want to know more?
Title: Britain at Work Survey 2002, Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Methodology: Respondents completed a survey questionnaire consisting of 125 questions about their perceptions of their job, organisation, work environment, compensation, benefits, and the management of their organisation.
Survey sample: The results are based on data collected from over 3,500 working adults in Britain representing a broad cross-section of industries. "The weighted survey results are representative of the entire British workforce and individual industry sectors."
Mercer Human Resource Consulting is the "largest consulting firm of its type in the UK, helping organisations create business value through their people". It employs over 3,500 staff in 17 office locations in the UK, serving some 7,000 corporate clients.
www.mercerhr.com