2012 Olympics set to boost employee engagement

A scheme aimed at encouraging companies to show their support for the 2012 London Olympics may help boost employee engagement

Our Team 2012 has launched the initiative as the countdown to the biggest sporting event in the world continues. As part of the project, participating firms will be able to receive specialist dietary advice, fitness tips and blogs on the top athletes.

Workers will also have a new Olympic logo attached to their corporate email signatures and part of the company's website will include a quote from former Olympic rower Matthew Pinsent stating how pleased he is with the support given to the Games.

Spokesperson for the organisation Andrew Owen believes the scheme can aid staff motivation. "We provide ... rich content which can engage with staff and clients and really goes to show and recognise their involvement, because they really do become part of the team," he remarked.

Although the Games are expected to generally have a positive impact, a study by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has indicated that 44 per cent of London-based firms are concerned over travel disruptions during the month-long event.
Meantime many companies have been found wanting in terms of taking measures to boost employee engagement among staff who have been on sickness leave.

A study by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has discovered that two-thirds of employers did not take specific action to help ill workers get back into their roles.

Of those that did take such measures, the majority opted to stage meetings with staff members to discuss their needs, while a number also offered flexi-time arrangements.

Only a "slim majority" of bosses felt that offering health care provisions such as private medical insurance in an attempt to prevent absence was cost-effective.

The DWP survey also found that 61 per cent of respondents now offer flexible working arrangements and this was more prominent in larger corporations.

Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development recently found that an increasing number of workers are now looking for new jobs that offer better pay and perks, rather than roles that give them more satisfaction.