Partner Article

Employee Motivation Builds a Better Britain

British workers have highlighted the importance of a simple thank you in the workplace, revealing that ‘feeling valued’ by their boss is the top motivational factor in helping them achieve more during their nine to five.

Delving into employee motivation levels, a nationwide survey conducted by Argos for Business, the leading provider for corporate motivation solutions, also revealed that 40 per cent of employees stay in their current job because they have good relationships with their colleagues.

To inspire passion and appreciation across the country’s workforce, Argos for Business has launched the UK’s first ever Employee Motivation Day on Wednesday 21st January 2015, encouraging bosses to instil best practice for the year by recognising and motivating employees.

As one in three employees are predicted to weigh up their career options this January[1], the cost to individual businesses could be significant.

Accounting for all elements of the recruitment process, including advertising costs and recruiter fees, through to loss of productivity and training for new recruits, each employee lost could cost up to £30,614[2] to replace. Businesses choosing not to implement a year-round motivational strategy should consider this substantial sum and whether they can afford to lose some of their most valued assets - experienced employees.

As the research shows, motivational strategies need not cost the Earth, or indeed anything at all. Simply feeling valued, or thanked for a job well done resonates with British workers, leaving a positive and affirming effect on employees and the businesses they work for.

When asked when people feel most enthusiastic about work, nearly a third (28 per cent) of employees advised that they feel at their most motivated at 10am (on a typical day shift), and the majority of the UK’s workforce feel at their best on a Wednesday.

Taking on responsibility (26 per cent) and making a difference (28 per cent) were also identified as top motivators in the workplace.

The UK is a nation of grafters, with one in four people working at least seven hours over their contracted working time each week[3]. And with the announcement in the Autumn Statement that non-paid overtime should be included in employee holiday pay, workers could be even more willing to put in the extra time and effort - a perfect opportunity for managers and business owners to show their appreciation.

Commenting on the findings, Danny Clenaghan, Managing Director at Argos for Business, said: “January always appears an opportune time for workers to weigh up their employment options. However, motivating staff and showing appreciation for their hard work year-round needn’t cost the Earth. As the research shows, simple and cost-effective everyday actions, such as saying thank you with low cost gift vouchers, a duvet day or allowing your team to leave 30 minutes early on a Friday, can go a long way in ensuring bosses hold onto valuable team members.

“Motivated employees should be at the heart of every business, as a continuously engaged and driven workforce is more efficient, which in turn impacts positively on a business’ bottom line.

“To help drive motivation, we are therefore dedicating a whole day to giving and receiving recognition and motivational compliments. We hope that employees, managers and business owners all get involved and become part of our Employee Motivation Day campaign.”

Employees and employers can get involved in National Employee Motivation Day by downloading the motivation resource pack from employeemotivationday.co.uk, or by visiting the dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages, using the hashtags #EmployeeMotivationDay #EMD and #NatMotivateDay.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jam PR .