Staff boredom ‘a ticking time bomb’

Employers are facing a time bomb, it has been claimed, after new research suggested more than a fifth of the UK working population feels unfulfilled.

A study by talent assessment company SHL found that 22% of all adults rarely or never feel fulfilled at work – equating to six million workers.

The percentage is even higher among 16-35 year-olds where are quarter are unsatisfied. A further 23% of this age group also believe they are in the wrong job.

With nearly a quarter of respondents considering a career change when the economy improves, employers are being warned they must address the issue of job satisfaction among workers.

“Lack of job fulfilment and job fit will have an impact on employee engagement, motivation and therefore productivity and this is not something that employers can afford in the current economic climate,” said David Leigh, chief executive of SHL.

“To help ensure they have the right people in the right roles, employers need to have an understanding of the competencies required and assess and develop employees against these, both at the recruitment stage and throughout their time with the company. Doing this increases the chances that employees will perform well, benefiting both themselves and the business”

Leigh suggested regular engagement and motivation survey as a method of highlighting problem areas.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2009