New research by CEB has revealed that six in ten employees feel insecure about their job.
In a global survey of over 21,200 respondents (of which 1,501 were from the UK) it was found that 43% of employees are unhappy in the stability their employers provide. Employee satisfaction with stability fell by 4% to 37%, the lowest level since mid-2013.
Brian Kropp, HR practice leader at CEB said: “People are worried about political and economic ambiguity and the impact on their jobs. Understandably this is prompting people to feel insecure about their prospects and apprehensive about their future.”
Following Brexit, economic uncertainty has led to frequent changes in the UK workplace. 31% of employees have experienced a major organisational restructure in the past year. The global average stands at 25%.
As a result just 17% of employees are demonstrating high levels of discretionary effort by picking up additional work in their current roles.
Kropp added: “Change is often a healthy and positive thing. It can refresh the way things are done and give people the opportunity to learn new things. However, the stagnant levels of effort and reduced job satisfaction we’re seeing today are indicators that most workers are struggling to deal with so much change.”
CEB is calling on UK employers not to make unrealistic promises about stability. Employees should be involved in planning for and responding to change instead.
Kropp said: “At these moments, employers want to offer comfort and stability, but the worst thing firms can do is to over-promise and under-deliver. For now, most workers are opting to ‘sit tight’ with the company they know to ride out the waves.
“However in today’s environment people will only hold on for so long before they seek out greater career growth.”