Employee engagement on the agenda for CEOs

A research survey by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has shown the majority of UK chief executives are looking to improve on employee engagement and retention in 2010.

The research, based on in-depth discussions with 70 CEOs found that some 85 per cent expect to overhaul the way their firms manage people during change, as a result of the economic downturn.

Over a third (42 per cent) said they hoped to increase headcount over the next 12 months, 81 per cent said they were planning on attending to staff morale, while almost two-thirds (65 per cent) said they planned to increase investment in employee engagement and retention.

Michael Rendell, partner and leader of HR service at PwC, said: "Galvanizing employees and executives with the right skills and experience will be critical to operating and competing effectively in the emerging environment.

"Despite the stagnant labour market, there are always opportunities for the best people and some organisations have used the downturn to poach from competitors that failed to ring-fence top performers." Back