| Their call follows recently released research1 by the Future Foundation which shows that whilst British bosses recognise the importance of employee development in delivering overall productivity, they are reluctant to invest in their staff to achieve this. The research found that, although 75% of bosses say that effective development of employees will be vital or important to the future productivity of their organisations, only one in three put it at the top of their list when faced with competing priorities, such as new technology and machinery, knowledge of competitors, and research and development.
The research, conducted amongst Britain's top bosses, suggests that commitment to employees is diluted when management is faced with day-to-day priorities and investment choice. This is despite a clear recognition that employees hold the key to improved productivity.
To help employers get the most out of their workforce this year, Investors in People suggests the following "top tips" for managers -
· Invest in structured training courses for employees at every level of the organisation. Low skill levels in the workplace have consistently been shown to be the primary factor affecting the UK's productivity;
· Invest in your staff's development outside work too. Encourage your employees to take part in evening classes by contributing to the costs. This will help their overall motivation and their new skills may prove invaluable to your organisation in the future;
· Poor time management is one of the main reasons for low productivity. Encourage employees to plan their days properly, for example by using check-lists for their tasks;
· Encourage staff to have regular breaks away from their work station – this will help improve their concentration, increasing output;
· Promote a balanced work-life culture. Research by NOP World in 2002 found that 75% of UK employees feel they would be more productive at work if they could tailor their hours to their lifestyles;
· Make sure you practice what you preach – low productivity is just as much a problem for managers as it is for their employees. Set an example by having an organised desk, after all it is claimed that managers waste up to half an hour a day simply looking for documents and files.
Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive, Investors in People UK said:
"Research shows that Britain's managers realise the importance of employee development as a route to improved productivity, but fail to convert this understanding into action. It's as if they see productivity as someone else's problem, which is potentially damaging, not just to their organisations but to Britain as a whole.
"Bosses can use the New Year as an opportunity to re-evaluate their approach to issues such as motivation, work-life balance, and training, all of which can have can have a real impact on their organisation's bottom line, given the right level of managerial commitment."
- Ends - Notes to Editors
1) The report was carried out by the Future Foundation on behalf of Investors in People and published in November 2004. The report is the result of analysis of desk research of published sources together with original quantitative research among 663 British organisations.
2) Investors in People UK was established in 1993 to provide national ownership of the Investors in People Standard and is responsible for its promotion and branding, quality assurance and development.
3) The Investors in People Standard provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development.
4) The Investors in People Standard is promoted and developed by Investors in People UK - a public body whose main stakeholder is the Department for Education and Skills.
5) The Investors in People Standard is delivered by a partner network:
- In England, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Business Links.
- In Scotland, Scottish Enterprise (SE) or Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
- In Wales, the National Council for Education and Training for Wales and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, jointly known as Education Learning Wales (ELWa).
- In Northern Ireland, the Department for Employment and Learning.
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