A nation of undervalued employees?
A recent study has shown that over a third of the nation’s workforce feel they are undervalued.
According to a recent employment survey, the UK is home to a nation of undervalued employees. The survey pointed out that organisations are increasingly ignoring the basics of talent management and this is resulting in disillusioned and demotivated workforces across the country. More than a third of those surveyed (38%) felt undervalued with 1 in 10 employees convinced that their employer sees them as easily replaceable.
The trend peaked among 16-24 year olds, with almost half (48%) feeling undervalued. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the banking and financial services market is home to some of Britain’s most disillusioned employees, with HR close behind. Only 57 per cent of workers in these sectors felt valued at all, with nearly a quarter of banking professionals (22%) feeling that they are easily replaceable.
It seems as though two main factors are the driving force behind this trend – a job market overrun with candidates and employers that are focusing on business critical issues at the expense of good talent management principles. The result is a talent market that is becoming progressively more commoditised.
The findings certainly paint a gloomy picture with nervous employees looking over their shoulder whilst being mis-managed and undervalued by their employers. At a time when companies need to be maximising the performance of all their staff, these findings could, and perhaps should, act as a wake-up call. With so many people in the job market at the moment there could be a danger of employers ignoring any grievances current employees have and an ‘everyone is replaceable’ culture could easily prevail which would obviously harm productivity and morale.
In times of change and uncertainty it is essential that employers work to motivate their staff – making employees feel valued and invested in the business will help get them get the most out of their workforce. If people feel they are valued and supported then it is more likely they will go the extra mile if the business needs it, which will be more beneficial to both parties in the long-term.
