Accidents and Engaged Employees
Dear Covers:
Survey: Many workers tuning out on the job
The above article on employee morale, mentioned earlier in this thread, appeared in Crain's Detroit Business (September 13-19, 2004 issue), front page story by Amy Lane. Since it is not available online, I have summarized some main points below.
This is the first-of-its kind survey on employee attitudes conducted by Gallup Organization's Southfield, Michigan office, in August 2004. The figures are:
Metro Detroit: Not Engaged 52%, Actively Disengaged 15%
U. S. Average: Not Engaged 54%, Actively Disengaged 16%
Auto Industry: Not Engaged 56%, Actively Disengaged 29%
The U. S. Average is actually higher than for Metro Detroit. Engaged employees
- are passionate about their work
- are connected to the company and move it forward
- are more productive
- are absent less
- have fewer accidents
- are likely to stay longer with the company.
Knowledge of work expectations was one of the 12 questions asked. Others included the following:
1. Does someone at work encourage their development, or has talked to them about their progress.
2. Are there opportunities to learn and grow.
3. Do your opinions count.
4. Do fellow workers or supervisor care about you as a person.
5. Do fellow workers show commitment to quality work.
6. Does company's mission make you feel your job is important.
The extent of discontent is also reflected in other attitudes. The likelihood of Detroiters recommending their city as a place to live is 24%, last among 11 cities included in the study.
The expensive mishaps and many other not so expensive mishaps, noted by Claes, that do not capture headlines, IMHO must be due to this "tuning out" of the labor force.
Charmed