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Johannesburg - There is growing trend in sub-Saharan Africa away from a "tell style" of management to one that connects and enables employees, the second annual 2013 sub-Saharan Africa Employee Engagement Survey, conducted by Aon Hewitt and Emergence Growth.
“The workplace is changing and evolving rapidly, which results in changes in what employees expect from their organisations. It is important for employers to be aware of this and ensure they act on these expectations,” said Pat Smythe, executive chair of Emergence Growth.
When asked if they were truly happy at work everyday, 26% of participants in the survey strongly agreed, 33% slightly agreed and 22% agreed. With only 6% slightly disagreeing, disagreeing and strongly disagreeing, respectively.
“Being happy at work ensures that employees are more motivated and productive. This is an important aspect, that employers need to take note of. It also assists in organisations retaining key talent,” said Smythe.
The next question looked at whether the employees’ current state of health (physical and mental) allowed them to perform their job effectively.
The outcome was slightly more positive than the first question, with 23% strongly agreeing, 34% slightly agreeing and 27% agreeing. Only 5% slightly disagreed, 8% disagreed and 3% strongly disagreed.
“Many factors in the workplace can affect physical and mental health, such as stress, work load, and working environment. Healthy employees are happy employees," said Smythe.
"Employers need to focus on assisting their employees in staying healthy. This could involve team building exercises for stress relief and socialising, for example.”
Thirdly, the survey looked at the responsibility of the organisations involved, by asking whether their organisation was socially and environmentally responsible.
About 21% of respondents strongly agreed, 40% slightly agreed and 25% agreed. Meanwhile, a mere 4% slightly disagree, 7% disagree and 4% strongly disagree.
“As the workplace and the world are changing, people expect more from brands and organisations. Being socially and environmentally responsible will ensure a good reputation for organisations,” said Smythe.
Lastly, the respondents were asked if the balance between work and personal commitment was right for them. While 20% strongly agreed, 40% slightly agreed and 25% agree.
While 5% slightly disagree with this status, 7% disagree and 4% strongly disagree.
“The balance between work and life was identified as a key issue for employees in our 2012 survey. The results show that employers have taken note of this, with 85% of respondents having positive views on this,” said Smythe.
“The workplace is changing and evolving rapidly, which results in changes in what employees expect from their organisations. It is important for employers to be aware of this and ensure they act on these expectations,” said Pat Smythe, executive chair of Emergence Growth.
When asked if they were truly happy at work everyday, 26% of participants in the survey strongly agreed, 33% slightly agreed and 22% agreed. With only 6% slightly disagreeing, disagreeing and strongly disagreeing, respectively.
“Being happy at work ensures that employees are more motivated and productive. This is an important aspect, that employers need to take note of. It also assists in organisations retaining key talent,” said Smythe.
The next question looked at whether the employees’ current state of health (physical and mental) allowed them to perform their job effectively.
The outcome was slightly more positive than the first question, with 23% strongly agreeing, 34% slightly agreeing and 27% agreeing. Only 5% slightly disagreed, 8% disagreed and 3% strongly disagreed.
“Many factors in the workplace can affect physical and mental health, such as stress, work load, and working environment. Healthy employees are happy employees," said Smythe.
"Employers need to focus on assisting their employees in staying healthy. This could involve team building exercises for stress relief and socialising, for example.”
Thirdly, the survey looked at the responsibility of the organisations involved, by asking whether their organisation was socially and environmentally responsible.
About 21% of respondents strongly agreed, 40% slightly agreed and 25% agreed. Meanwhile, a mere 4% slightly disagree, 7% disagree and 4% strongly disagree.
“As the workplace and the world are changing, people expect more from brands and organisations. Being socially and environmentally responsible will ensure a good reputation for organisations,” said Smythe.
Lastly, the respondents were asked if the balance between work and personal commitment was right for them. While 20% strongly agreed, 40% slightly agreed and 25% agree.
While 5% slightly disagree with this status, 7% disagree and 4% strongly disagree.
“The balance between work and life was identified as a key issue for employees in our 2012 survey. The results show that employers have taken note of this, with 85% of respondents having positive views on this,” said Smythe.
