UK Employee Motivation Lags Behind Global Average
New Korn Ferry Survey Examines Employee Sentiment in the UK
LOS ANGELES, August 22, 2024 – Global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) today released new data on employees in the United Kingdom that reveals a workforce lagging behind other countries when it comes to motivation. The insights are part of the firm’s Workforce 2024 Global Insights Report, which examines attitudes impacting employee sentiment globally.
The survey of 10,000 global employees indicates that motivation for professionals in the UK is far behind the global average, with only 60% of UK employees indicating that they are motivated to work above and beyond their roles, compared to 71% of employees globally.
Motivation levels in the UK also represent the lowest levels of any geography surveyed. In contrast, the survey shows that three in four U.S. employees (75%) are motivated, whilst India has the most motivated workforce in 2024 overall (84%).
“Employment is no longer a simple equation and quite possibly, it will stay this way for many years to come. Nothing is assured other than uncertainty and with that, trust and confidence is even harder to build as business leaders grapple with their future visions,” said Daren Kemp, Country Chair, UK & Ireland, Financial Services Lead, EMEA at Korn Ferry.
“Flexibility in working patterns, early adoption of new technologies that aid productivity, delivering a higher sense of purpose and fulfilment are some of the new tools being used by employers to bridge this gap, but more needs to be done if the UK is to remain competitive for top talent moving forward.”
The report examines attitudes affecting employee sentiment in all stages and levels of employment, from what makes a job attractive to what makes an employee engaged and motivated to succeed in a role.
Key data points include:
- Lack of Investment in Skills Drives Lack of Motivation: Only 59% of UK respondents felt they had good opportunities for learning and development at their company compared with 71% globally. Additionally, just 66% in the UK agreed their job made good use of skills and abilities compared with 76% globally.
- Employees are Wary of Leaders’ Vision for the Future: UK employees’ trust and confidence (59%) in senior leadership is substantially lower than the global average (71%). This may be due to a lack of confidence in the current UK business climate, with only 58% of UK employees agreeing their company is responding effectively to changes in the business environment, compared with 70% globally. Only about half (53%) of UK employees also agree that their companies value people over profits.
- Scepticism Overshadows AI’s Potential: In general, UK employees are more sceptical about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce. Only two in five (43%) of UK employees believe that using AI will bolster their effectiveness at work, compared to 58% of global employees. UK employees are also more likely to have a negative outlook on AI with just 47% excited about how emerging technologies like AI will change how they work (vs. 64% globally).
- UK Professionals Prioritise Work-life Balance, but Salary Remains Key: Compensation remains the top driver for the UK workforce. However, flexibility was also highlighted as a top priority with more than two-thirds of UK respondents (68%) saying that the ability to work flexibly and from wherever they want is critical to work-life balance.
The full Workforce 2024 Global Insights Report can be viewed here.
Methodology
Korn Ferry surveyed 10,000 professionals at all levels during March and April 2024, from entry-level to CEO, in six key markets: USA, UK, Brazil, Middle East, Australia, and India.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organisational consulting firm. We work with our clients to design optimal organisation structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.
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