Unmotivated and disengaged are ‘workplace prisoners’

HR consultancy Aon Hewitt says up to 8 per cent of staff in any organisation are unmotivated and disengaged.

Work ‘prisoners’

Human resources consultancy Aon Hewitt says up to 8 per cent of staff in any organisation are unmotivated and disengaged, and has coined the term “workplace prisoners” to describe their role and performance.

Head of engagement Reetta Horan says the small but influential group can significantly affect the experience, motivation and achievements of other employees, and they are often staff who stay in their roles and do not seek new opportunities.

Aon Hewitt found organisations with high tenure rates may partly be responsible because people tend to stay even when unhappy.

She says despite being less likely to be considered high performers, 60 per cent of workplace prisoners earn above market rate salaries.

“Managers play a critical role in dealing with this issue,” Horan says. “They should let the disengaged employees know the job may not be working for them and talk to them openly about why this might be the case.”

She says while the conversation may be difficult, organisations should explain the importance of an engaged workforce and train managers to identify disengaged employees to help them to have difficult conversations if required.

Nation of optimists

More than half of those Australians surveyed on the economic and workforce outlook are optimistic the economy will improve this year, and many expect a pay rise.

The Randstad Workmonitor report for the end of 2016 found that despite bearish economic indicators, declining GDP figures and an unpredictable international political landscape, Australians remain optimistic.

Of the respondents, 53 per cent thought the economy would improve and 57 per cent are expecting a pay rise at the end of the financial year — rising from 45 per cent at the end of 2015.

More than two-thirds believed their employer achieved stronger financial success in 2016 compared to 2015 and 73 per cent expected their employer to perform even better this year.

Australia and New Zealand chief executive Frank Ribuot says workers aged under 45 are more confident about the year, with 61 per cent expecting the country to have a financially stronger 2017.

“In some respects, 2016 has become the year of expect the unexpected,” Ribuot says.

“Political events were hard to predict, as were long and short-term economic outcomes, but despite some dire expectations from experts, we seem to have relatively high levels of workforce confidence.”

Welcome aboard

Recruitment firm Hays says there are several steps to ensure your first weeks in a new job run smoothly. Tips include arriving without preconceived ideas — to ensure you are open to learning new ways of doing things — taking time to introduce yourself to team members, preparing for induction meetings and not hesitating to ask seemingly basic questions.

Hays recommends seeking time to speak to executive staff about expectations and to build a positive relationship, keeping in touch with recruiters to help solve minor transition problems, and making sure you have plenty of exercise, rest and relaxation to ensure you wind down and absorb the key concepts and changes at a new site.

“Make sure you enjoy your first week,” Hays senior regional director Peter Noblet says.

“Look forward to the challenges ahead. Know that your career is taking a powerful forward step in the right direction. Embrace the change; truly show your new colleagues how much you will enjoy being part of their team or organisation, and how much they’ll enjoy having you there.”