Global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry has released new data on employees in the United Kingdom that reveals a workforce lagging behind other countries when it comes to motivation. The insights are part of the firm’s Workforce 2024 Global Insights Report, which examines attitudes impacting employee sentiment globally.
The survey of 10,000 global employees indicates that motivation for professionals in the UK is far behind the global average, with only 60 per cent of UK employees indicating that they are motivated to work above and beyond their roles, compared to 71 per cent of employees globally.
Motivation levels in the UK also represent the lowest levels of any geography surveyed. In contrast, the survey shows that three in four US employees (75 per cent) are motivated, whilst India has the most motivated workforce in 2024 overall (84 per cent).
“Employment is no longer a simple equation and quite possibly, it will stay this way for many years to come,” said Daren Kemp, Country Chair UK & Ireland, Financial Services Lead EMEA at Korn Ferry. “Nothing is assured other than uncertainty and with that, trust and confidence is even harder to build as business leaders grapple with their future visions.
“Flexibility in working patterns, early adoption of new technologies that aid productivity, delivering a higher sense of purpose and fulfilment are some of the new tools being used by employers to bridge this gap, but more needs to be done if the UK is to remain competitive for top talent moving forward,” Kemp adds.
The report examines attitudes affecting employee sentiment in all stages and levels of employment, from what makes a job attractive to what makes an employee engaged and motivated to succeed in a role.
Key data points include:
- Lack of Investment in Skills Drives Lack of Motivation: Only 59 per cent of UK respondents felt they had good opportunities for learning and development at their company compared with 71 per cent globally. Additionally, just 66 per cent in the UK agreed their job made good use of skills and abilities compared with 76 per cent globally.
- Employees are Wary of Leaders’ Vision for the Future: UK employees’ trust and confidence (59 per cent) in senior leadership is substantially lower than the global average (71 per cent). This may be due to a lack of confidence in the current UK business climate, with only 58 per cent of UK employees agreeing their company is responding effectively to changes in the business environment, compared with 70 per cent globally. Only about half (53 per cent) of UK employees also agree that their companies value people over profits.
- Scepticism Overshadows AI’s Potential: In general, UK employees are more sceptical about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce. Only two in five (43 per cent) of UK employees believe that using AI will bolster their effectiveness at work, compared to 58 per cent of global employees. UK employees are also more likely to have a negative outlook on AI with just 47 per cent excited about how emerging technologies like AI will change how they work (vs. 64 per cent globally).
- UK Professionals Prioritise Work-life Balance, but Salary Remains Key: Compensation remains the top driver for the UK workforce. However, flexibility was also highlighted as a top priority with more than two-thirds of UK respondents (68 per cent) saying that the ability to work flexibly and from wherever they want is critical to work-life balance.
