Pay may have the biggest influence on an employee’s productivity but it’s not the only motivator at work this year, according to new research.
HR and payroll software provider Ciphr surveyed UK-based CEOs and senior managers about what motivates their workforces to be more productive. The study revealed that the majority of employers believe salary (40%) will continue to be a key factor affecting their employees’ productivity levels this year, followed by bonuses and performance incentives (31%).
Given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, it’s hardly surprising that financial reward should top the list. Yet, interestingly, many of the other motivational boosters are also ranked highly by employers. This includes flexible working (30%), a healthy working environment (29%), respectful and supportive management (28%), and positive feedback, which can cost less and, potentially, have a wide organisational impact.
SPURRING EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
Prioritising these positive workplace practices are known to help employers promote an inclusive work culture, while supporting their workers’ intrinsic (self) motivation to be successful in their roles.
Around a quarter of respondents also list job enjoyment (26%), extra employee perks and rewards (26%), recognition and appreciation (26%), opportunities to learn new skills (25%), and meaningful work (25%) as useful ways to spur employee productivity this year.
TOP EMPLOYEE MOTIVATORS
The top 20 factors that will help to motivate staff this year, according to employers, are:
- Pay/salary (40%)
- Bonus/performance incentives (31%)
- Flexible working (30%)
- Healthy working environment (29%)
- Respectful and supportive management (28%)
- Positive feedback (27%)
- Enjoying their job (26%)
- Extra employee perks and rewards (26%)
- Recognition and appreciation of their work (26%)
- Opportunities to learn new skills (25%)
- Meaningful work (25%)
- Being listened to (24%)
- Clear career path/development opportunities (24%)
- Being encouraged to succeed / encouragement (22%)
- Being part of a supportive team (22%)
- Having a passion for their work (22%)
- Extra paid annual leave (22%)
- Feeling valued and important to the organisation (22%)
- Having a say/being involved in decisions that impact them (21%)
- Being challenged at work in a positive way (20%)
ENGAGEMENT TOOLS
Of course, factors that motivate one employee may have no influence on another. The narrow margin between many of the results in the poll highlights that there really is no one-size-fits-all approach to improving employee productivity and performance. Employers need to spend time listening to employees to understand their needs and priorities. They then must use a mix of motivators and engagement tools that work best for their staff.
“It’s not surprising to see pay at the top of the list in the current financial climate,” explained Claire Williams, Chief People Officer at Ciphr. “However, this research is a good reminder to employers that there are lots of other factors that motivate employees that aren’t pay related, and are great ways to improve engagement and, ultimately, performance, while helping manage salary inflation.”
The full results from Ciphr’s latest survey can be viewed here.
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