The Work Clinic

As the credit crunch makes itself felt, the biggest change expected by employees in London during the next twelve months is an increase in their workload, according to research released by Investors in People UK.  The research also reveals that employees are already likely to be feeling the pressure, with over half (51%) saying that they have seen an increase in their workload over the last 12 months.

Reflecting the tougher business conditions predicted, the research - carried out by YouGov - reveals that 69% of London employees anticipate they will experience some changes in the workplace over the coming year, including increased workload (43%), a new manager (16%), news they may lose their job (14%) or relocation (17%). 

The research also found that many employees are concerned about their employer's ability to manage them through these periods of change.  Although 45% of staff with a line manager felt confident that their organisation would make the right decision for the future success of the organisation, 44% felt that their organisation wouldn't listen to their views, and 31% said they wouldn't feel confident they would be informed of change in a timely or appropriate way.

The research shows that employees in London want to be managed in a personal way - the majority (72%) want to hear news of change that affects them via a one-to-one meeting with their boss.  During a period of significant change:

• More than three quarters (77%) of employees want their manager to provide all the information available so they can draw their own conclusions
• 61% would like their manager to seek their views and listen, yet only 34% think this would happen;
• Half (51%) would like their manager to offer them support, yet only a third (34%) think this would happen.

Worryingly, 60% of employees say the most common sign of change in their organisation is an increase in meetings happening behind closed doors or hushed conversations. The research highlights the importance of employers' actively managing change in the workplace to ensure it doesn't have a negative impact on motivation and productivity. 

Simon Jones, chief executive, Investors in People UK, says: "To ensure productivity and motivation levels do not suffer in the current climate, it's important that employers in London actively manage change in the right way.  With over two-thirds of the workforce expecting to experience a change in the workplace in the next 12 months bosses must pay heed to employees' views on how they'd like to be kept informed in times of change."