Communication and flexibility 'key during recession'

Monday, May 24th 2010

During the recession, workers may have found their jobs were safer in companies where good communication and staff engagement was present.

According to the Picking up the Pace: The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)/Harvey Nash Employment Trends Survey 2010, employers thought this was vital when making changes to the workforce in the economic downturn.

The CBI revealed results of the report, which it commissioned alongside recruitment experts Harvey Nash.

Some 91 per cent of employers said they communicated the recession's impact on their firm to their staff.

And this meant employees understood a change in working patterns was needed, 87 per cent of businesses stated.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, said: "Employers have come out the other side of the recession, having managed to keep many more people in jobs than had been expected."

Much of this is down to personnel being flexible and demonstrating goodwill, during a time when there may have been recruitment and pay freezes, he added.

The body exists to help UK businesses to compete and prosper and liaises with the government, policy makers and legislators.