Improving productivity is top priority for employers in 2008

Employers are focusing on getting their staff to work harder in 2008, the findings of two surveys have revealed.

A study of 2,033 employers, by recruitment firm Manpower, found that increasing workforce productivity was the top human rresources (HR) priority for this year.

Getting the most from staff has moved up the HR agenda from fourth place in 2007 to number one.

It replaces staff retention  which dropped to second place, with absence management, succession planning and wage inflation also considered HR priorities in 2008.

Mark Cahill, managing director of Manpower UK, said: “Improving labour force productivity and maximising efficiency is currently top of the company health-check agenda.”

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A survey of 136 HR directors, by outsourcing provider Northgate HR, revealed employee productivity was the top HR concern for 75% of respondents.

Workforce morale and reward and recognition strategies were also rated as important.