Employers need to motivate staff as job satisfaction hits an all-time low, says the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Employers need to motivate staff as job satisfaction hits an all-time low, says the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Only 35 per cent of employees say they are satisfied with their jobs, down from 48 per cent last summer, while 29 per cent report a worsening in standards of living, according to a survey from the CIPD.

Claire McCartney, CIPD lead adviser, comments, ‘Even though the economy is no longer flat on its back, the “real economy” as experienced in the day-to-day lives of workers is crippled. Employers are going to have to continue to work hard to rebuild motivation and commitment among employees bruised by job insecurity, pay freezes and lack of consultation over change.’

Some 49 per cent of workers say stress levels have intensified, 24 per cent report rises in absenteeism and 18 per cent believe work-based conflict has increased.

Gillian Dowling, a consultant at HR firm Croner, says, ‘Employees have been through a lot this past year, with many experiencing large-scale redundancies for the first time and a large number accepting variations to contractual terms, including reduced working hours and pay freezes. It’s not surprising that many people are still feeling unsettled.’

Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 19 per cent think it is likely that they will lose their job.