doom and gloom

A report, The State of HR Survey, conducted by King’s College London and law firm Speechly Bircham and based on responses from 550 senior HR professionals with a combined workforce size of more than two million, found that more than 50 per cent of organisations reported an increase in staff working hours, while pay rises and bonuses continue to be withheld.

Longer working hours were found to be significantly correlated with increased absence, sickness, stress-related problems, and increased employee grievances. HR managers also anticipate that future increases in working hours are linked with higher staff turnover and workplace unrest. Deteriorating employee relations, high stress levels and workforce disputes appear endemic, particularly in relation to bullying, harassment and relationships with line managers. A culture of long working hours is leading to a rise in sickness, stress and industrial action. The report also finds the size of pay rises decreasing in more than half of organisations during 2010 and budgets for remuneration and training continuing to fall. General staff recruitment, graduate and temporary worker hiring have also slumped.

“This year’s survey findings send out a clear warning to employers. The combination of increased workplace conflict, longer hours and rising stress levels is a potent cocktail which could lead to a significant rise in tribunals and industrial action if not properly addressed,” said Richard Martin, head of employment at Speechly Bircham.