Manufacturers' Monthly
May, 2007

AN independent research study published by 1st Executive has revealed that many employers in the manufacturing industry are out of touch with their employees. The inaugural study on Australians' Attitudes to Work - The Great Divide presents some alarming findings for managers and business owners who are already facing a battle to attract and retain the right skills.   

The most confronting statistic for employers in the study is that almost 90% of employers and managers believe that around 80% of their workforce will be stable for the next two years, while 74% of employees said they would change jobs in that time. Over 60% of employees believe their career paths would require them to leave their current employer. 

"These statistics present major problems for employers and managers in manufacturing, and we are already seeing real shortages in people coming into and wanting to stay in manufacturing," said Andrew Thoseby of 1^st Executive. The report identifies a consistent thread of employees wanting to be well managed. Managers and employers know what they should do, but are not delivering, the study says. Other major findings of the report reveal:

• Job diversity does not have a major impact on employee retention;
• Challenge in a job is a significant factor in employee retention
• Almost 50% of new hires experience a failure from management to provide clear direction within days of commencing a new role; and
• 89% of managers say that they conduct performance appraisals at least every year yet 49% of employees have not been appraised.