One of the key workplace metrics IndustryWeek examines during its annual Best Plants competition is the level of employee engagement at each facility. Based on past winners, it's clear why an involved workforce is so critical. Typically, the plants with some of the most successful continuous improvement programs have workforces that are highly active in contributing to the company's cost-savings efforts.
But judging from a recent study, many manufacturers worldwide aren't doing enough to foster worker engagement. Globally only 21% of employees are willing to go the extra distance to help their companies succeed, according to a Towers Perrin survey of nearly 90,000 employees in 18 countries. The consequences for companies that don't empower their workforces is evident in another study cited by Towers Perrin of 40 global companies that shows firms with the most-engaged employees collectively increased operating income 19% and earnings per share 28% year to year.
Findings from the report suggest that employers:
The positive news for employers is that the study reflects an ambitious and committed workforce, notes Julie Gebauer, of Towers Perrin's HR Services department. "This lays to rest several persistent stereotypes -- that employees are loyal only to themselves and their careers and are looking to do the minimum to get by," she observes. "But turning people's energy and ambition into engagement -- and ultimately into significant performance lift -- demands attention, focus and some very different behavior from senior leaders."
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