EIGHTY-FIVE per cent of companies rely on explicit CEO support to reinforce organisational values, according to a global study of 365 senior executives. It also found that 77 per cent believe CEO support is the most effective practice for reinforcing the company’s ability to act on its values
EIGHTY-FIVE per cent of companies rely on explicit CEO support to reinforce organisational values, according to a global study of 365 senior executives. It also found that 77 per cent believe CEO support is the most effective practice for reinforcing the company’s ability to act on its values, while other management practices used to support values include:
Training 34%
Internal communications 32%
Incentive compensation 30%
The study also found that corporate values statements specify ethical conduct (90 per cent), commitment to customers (88 per cent) and commitment to employees (78 per cent).
Source: Aspen Institute/Booz Allen Hamilton
Women still struggling to the top
SEVENTY-SEVEN per cent of Australian HR and finance managers say there are more men than women in executive positions in their company, which is 10 per cent higher than the global average. A survey of 150 managers also found that 41 per cent think men and women face the same difficulties in reaching the top, however 26 per cent believe that women have different priorities to men and 24 per cent think women are more focused on their families than men.
Source: Robert Half Finance & Accounting
Employers not excused on job interviews
SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of Australian employees have been asked inappropriate questions at job interviews, according to a poll of 462 workers. It also found that job interviewees were asked about:
Marital status 41%
Where they lived 64%
Their age 53%
Additionally, 35 per cent of job interviewees admitted they would tell the truth if they were absent to attend a job interview, while other reasons included a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment (15 per cent), a personal illness (14 per cent) or a family emergency (7 per cent).
Source: CareerOne
Workers under-trained for emergencies
THIRTY-FIVE per cent of Australian employees believe they have not been adequately trained in emergency procedures, a survey of more than 1,200 workers has found. It also found that 27 per cent said they did not have a trained first aid officer on the premises, 15 per cent indicated they would not know what to do in case of an emergency and 13 per cent said their companies didn’t have emergency procedures in place.
Source: Talent2
Aussies cautious on racy emails
SEVENTY-SIX per cent of Australian employees never forward racy jokes and emails to colleagues and friends, while 30 per cent admit to sending confidential company information in emails. A global survey of 5,533 workers also found that 12 per cent of Australian workers admit to downloading pirate software, music, films or games at work, almost 30 per cent spend an hour or more a day on personal emails and more than 85 per cent don’t think their boss would be concerned about this and their internet use at work.
Source: Clearswift
UK workers trust bosses less than in US
FIFTY-ONE per cent of employees in the US trust their organisation’s leaders to get the job done, while only 31 per cent of workers in the UK feel the same way. A survey of 15,000 private sector workers in the US and UK also found that only 30 per cent of UK workers believe management explains the reasons behind major decisions and as few as 18 per cent believe management successfully involves employees in decision making.
Source: Watson Wyatt
Soft skills key to managers
FIFTY-THREE per cent of employers in the manufacturing and transportation sector focus on soft skills training when it comes to assisting managers in resolving team issues such as performance and conflict management. Only 27 per cent focus on hard skills development such as technical and IT training, while the key business drivers for management training include improved customer satisfaction (63 per cent) and compliance with legislative requirements (53 per cent).
Source: Planpower Training Solutions
UK management: HR is too reactive
FIFTY-THREE per cent of managers in the UK believe that HR practitioners are too reactive, while a further 47 per cent say that HR lacks credibility in their organisation. A survey of more than 600 UK managers also found that 27 per cent feel HR is out of touch, while the managers themselves experience:
Work-related stress 78%
Harassment 52%
Bullying 27%
A further 45 per cent of UK managers do not feel fully appreciated or rewarded and 65 per cent are searching for ‘meaning’ in their working life.
Source: Roffey Park
The cookie crumbles for tea ladies
FIFTY-TWO per cent of Australian companies believe it is not necessary to have tea ladies in the office and that the role of tea ladies is becoming obsolete. A survey of 1,200 companies found that only 6 per cent currently employ a tea lady, with 73 per cent of executives making their own tea and 14 per cent having their personal assistants make their tea for them. 30 per cent of firms supply biscuits for their staff.
Source: Talent2
CSR central in executive/investor decisions
EIGHTY-FIVE per cent of executives and investors rank corporate responsibility as a central consideration in investment decisions, a survey of 136 global executives has found. This figure is almost double the level five years ago, and institutional investors believe that the most important aspects to corporate responsibility include:
Transparency of corporate dealings 68%
High standards of corporate governance 62%
Ethical behaviour of staff 46%
Additionally, 84 per cent of executives and investors felt corporate responsibility practices could positively impact a company’s bottom line.
Source: Oracle/Economist Intelligence Unit
