Survey reveals majority of employees believe email has a positive impact on motivation
Capital Incentives & Motivation Survey 2007
A significant 66% of respondents to Capital Incentives & Motivation’s latest motivation survey have indicated that increased use of email has had a positive effect on motivation. The questions on email in the workplace and its impact on motivation were asked for the first time in this year’s survey.
Graham Povey, Managing Director of Capital Incentives & Motivation, said: “I believe many people will find these results surprising given the widespread view that a high proportion of employees are suffering from email overload and finding it difficult to manage the increased volume of emails they receive on a daily basis.”
Among the 66% that stated it has had a positive effect, the most common reasons given were the ability to communicate up to date information instantly (40%), the ease with which staff at all levels can be communicated (25%) and the fact that it is a recordable form of communication (21%).
Among the 14% that stated it has had a negative effect, the most common reasons given were that it has led to less face to face communication (28%), can be taken or read in the wrong way (27%) and that it is an impersonal form of contact (17%). The number of respondents indicating that it has had no effect was 20%.
Majority of employers fail to consult with staff before introducing an incentive scheme
A noteworthy 67% of respondents to the survey have revealed that their employer fails to consult with staff before deciding what incentives to offer, despite the fact that thorough research and planning is vital to ensure an incentive or motivation scheme succeeds in achieving its objectives.
Graham Povey commented: “While it is pleasing to see that the number of employers running incentive schemes has risen from 73% in 2005 to 76% in 2007, it is disappointing that well over half of them are not engaging in a consultation process with staff to ensure that the incentives they offer are the ones that are going to achieve results. I hope that the findings of this survey will make more employers think about the importance of this aspect when introducing new schemes or revising existing programmes.”
Fair treatment remains top motivating factor at work
For the sixth year running ‘being fairly treated’ has been confirmed as the principal motivating factor at work, with 72% of people rating it as very important. ‘Good relationships with colleagues’ has moved up from third to second place, with 61% of respondents now rating it as very important, while good current pay/current salary’ has dropped to third place (56%).
The majority of factors such as job security, leadership, benefits, work load and training increased in importance in 2007, while ‘good location and work environment’ remained stable with 35% of respondents rating it very important. ‘Fair promotion prospects’ has fallen with 35% of participants rating it very important in comparison to 38% in 2005. (see table in Notes to Editors).
Graham Povey concluded: “The 2007 survey has once again provided valuable insights into the use of incentive and motivation schemes in the UK today. With more companies looking to run schemes online utilising websites and email, it is pleasing to note that the majority of respondents view email as having a positive effect on motivation.”
“It is not surprising that ‘being fairly treated’ at work has remained the top motivating factor as it is important for all employees to feel that they are valued by their employer. It is also interesting to note that ‘good relationships with colleagues’ has returned to second place ahead of “good current pay/salary,” which took that spot in 2005, indicating that employees are again placing a higher value on the atmosphere in which they work.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The profile of 1,187 respondents to the survey was: 63% female, 37% male, with 36% falling into the 25-34 age bracket and a further 25% who were 35-44 years old. 25% described themselves as a manager, 15% as a consultant/advisor, 10% as professionals, 8% as a clerk/administrator, and 6% as secretarial.
2. The survey was conducted between February and June 2007
3. What motivates you at work?
Based on % of respondents who voted each factor very important
Being fairly treated/valued 72%
Good relationship with colleagues 61%
Good current pay/salary 56%
Job security 53%
Effective/competent leadership 48%
Good relationship with your boss 46%
Feeling important/being involved in the company 43%
Good benefits (holidays, health insurance, etc…) 42%
Training 37%
Good promotion prospects 35%
Good location and work environment 35%
Fair work load 35%
Fair time pressures 30%
Good policy regulation/discussion 27%
-ends-
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