90% workers perform beyond contract terms

NINE in ten workers are willing to work beyond their contracted requirements to help the company they work for succeed, according to a new survey.

The Engagement in Action report, conducted by HR professional services firm Towers Watson, on behalf of employers’ representative body, IBEC — to tie in with the organisation’s HR leadership summit in Dublin yesterday — also found that while 80% of employees believe in their organisation’s goals, nearly 40% admit that stress is reducing their effectiveness to their employers.

IBEC said yesterday the impact of three years of recession means that both public and private-sector employers need to focus more on helping employees find meaning in work and need to support them in doing more with less.

“As we do more with less, retaining employee commitment and encouraging high performance are imperative for recovery. Having more innovative businesses and confident employees will improve Ireland’s competitiveness and drive growth, which will lead to job creation,” according to IBEC director Brendan McGinty.

“Ireland needs vibrant, innovative and confident employees in the public and private sectors to drive economic recovery. All parts of the economy have taken hard medicine and reduced costs.”

The report noted firms are increasingly focusing on supporting line managers, who in turn provide crucial support to employees.