This Week's Herman Trend Alert Purpose Emerging as Important Driver of Engagement

The Herman Trend Alert December 7, 2011 Employee Engagement Declining Everyone agrees that employee engagement is critical to productivity and profit. That is why the recent news from Randstad is so disturbing. Their quarterly “Employee Attachment Index” provided insights into the level of “employee-employer attachment”, based on employee engagement and expected retention levels. With the fluctuating economy and now improving job market, Randstad is monitoring how employees are feeling about work and measuring their intentions to leave or stay. This particular index also reported employees’ predictions for 2012, attitudes on career and fears around losing their jobs. Clearly, this report found employees with mixed emotions about 2012. While 56 percent of those surveyed believe they would not be able to find a job they would accept, nearly half expect the job market to improve next year; and 47 percent plan to explore other opportunities as soon as the job market picks up. The best news is that a majority (74 percent) feel “optimistic about their organization’s future”, with 40 percent predicting their companies will expand their workforces in 2012. Just under half (48 percent) believe the economy has negatively altered their career plans; frankly, we were shocked the number was so low. Not surprisingly, 24 percent are “extremely concerned” about losing their job and oddly enough, an identical percentage expect to be promoted in 2012. Their expectations about salary and benefits are more troubling. Over one-third (35 percent) of employees surveyed are concerned that their benefits will be reduced, while even more at 48 percent, predict it will happen in 2012. Almost one-quarter (24 percent) are concerned about layoffs; 41 percent expect their companies will lay people off in 2012. In fact, almost one-fifth (19 percent) expect to lose their jobs. Over a quarter (27 percent) are concerned about taking a pay cut, while more workers are actually optimistic about 2012 with almost half (47 percent) predicting they will get a raise. Finally, it came as no surprise that a significant percentage of the most valuable employees (the highly engaged) reports being open to leaving their current jobs. Expect the top talent around the globe to go first; it always does. Then others will follow. Employers have a short window in which to address these issues or be victims of a recovering labor market. How ironic! © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." WHO SENDS OUT YOUR NEWSLETTERS? We are convinced there is no better choice than ours! We have happily used DataBack Systems to deliver The Herman Trend Alert for over 10 years and. Visit their website (http://www.databack.com) or call Byron directly at 503.941.0427. You'll be glad you did. IS YOUR EMPLOYER AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE®? Our effective, onsite seminars, workshops, and consulting can help you get there. We offer 1-, 2-, 3-hour, and full-day programs to help you communicate what it takes to become an Employer of Choice® and inspire your folks to get it done. In the future, being an Employer of Choice® will not be optional. Call Carol at 336-210-3547 to arrange a no-obligation conference call. Or order the electronic version of the Employer of Choice book on your desktop for only $17.80 @ http://hermangroup.com/store/books_all.html#2. STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PEOPLE YOU NEED? VETJOBS CAN HELP! Recently, hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of capable people. If you are looking for qualified candidates, you need to hire a veteran using VFW-sponsored VetJobs, the largest military employment site on the Internet. Thousands of returning veterans are looking for good jobs now. Mention this ad in The Herman Trend Alert and receive a 10% discount on job postings. Call Ted Daywalt at 877-838-5627 or inquire at info@VetJobs.com. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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