Employee Engagement most pivotal for success

Employers in the private sector have highlighted employee engagement as the most pivotal factor behind maintaining success through difficult economic times, a survey has revealed.

Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) showed that many bosses felt it necessary to boost communication with employees.

The survey of 2,266 human resources (HR) professionals discovered that employee engagement was second in an overall list of priorities, as many public sector bosses claimed that managing costs was the most important factor behind sustainability.

Many employers also felt that improving performance through employee benefits or rewards was vital in the current climate.

CIPD chief executive Jackie Orme believes that public sector employers should emulate private sector bosses by recognising the importance of communicating with staff.

"Employee engagement is an area that should feature high on the list of priorities for HR and the organisation at the best of times," she said.

The CIPD is the largest organisation of its kind in Europe with more than 135,000 members.