Employee Satisfaction Research

August 2008

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Amarach Research undertook a survey of 1000 working Irish adults, quotas were applied to reflect the working population.

The study looked to assess overall satisfaction with an employee’s place of work as well as various aspects within their working lives.

The study was conducted through ‘07/’08

A few key slides have been presented here, however, more information is available upon request by contacting Amárach at: info@amarach.com

Background & Methodology

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Breakdown of Labourforce

10

14

23

9

30

5

9

Supervisory/Junior Manager

Intermediate Manager/Professional

Skilled Manual Worker

Owner/Manager/MD

Other

Junior Admin/Clerical

Semi/Unskilled Manual

24

32

32%

Managerial/Owner/Manger roles are more dominant within the Dublin region,

Connaught/Ulster and Munster have a greater proportion of semi-skilled manual

workers versus elsewhere.Three tenths of our population are skilled

manual workers.The majority of the working population

work full-time (75%). Those who are semi-skilled manual workers are most

likely to work part time (52%).

56%

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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Eight inTen Satisfied with Place of Work

Agree Slightly (4)

Overall Satisfaction with Place of Work

Agree Strongly (5)

4.2

Disagree Slightly (2)Disagree Strongly (1)Mean Score

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Overall the research found that 81pc of employees are satisfied with their place of work, with owners and managers topping the list, whilst junior levels are the most likely to consider leaving the company

they work in.

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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Recommendation of Company as a place of work

Recommendation of Company as a place of work

Recommendations More Likely Amongst Higher Tiers

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

4.1

Disagree Slightly (2)Disagree Strongly (1)

Mean Score

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Owners and managers came out with the most likelihood to recommend with 65pc of

bosses advocating their work place to potential employees.

Semi-skilled manual workers however are the least likely to recommend their place of work as only 23pc said that they would

commend their company.

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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15% Likely to Switch for Similar Job

Likelihood to Switch to a Similar Job

Likelihood to Switch to a Similar Job

%

2.2

As a total just over half of all workers, 53pc, disagreed strongly with the

likelihood to switching jobs.

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

Mean Score

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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Overall Satisfaction with Senior Management

Overall Satisfaction with Senior Management

Four in Ten Satisfied With Senior Management

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Not over whelming confidence in senior management, few agreeing strongly with statements such as leading by example or making fair decisions in respect of

employees

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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Senior Management Lead by Example

Senior Management Lead by Example

Senior Management Leading By Example?

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Decisions Made by Senior Management Concerning

Employees are Usually Fair

Decisions Made by Senior Management Concerning

Employees are Usually Fair%

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

9

Overall Satisfaction with Direct Manager/SupervisorOverall Satisfaction with

Direct Manager/Supervisor

Greater Satisfaction with Direct Manager

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Satisfaction levels are significantly greater for direct management versus that of Senior

Management; Intermediate Managers upwards show the greatest level of

confidence/satisfaction in their direct manager.

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

10

Satisfaction with TrainingSatisfaction with Training

Training & Career Development

Agree Slightly (4)

Agree Strongly (5)

Disagree Slightly (2)

Disagree Strongly (1)

%

Neither Agree nor Disagree(5)

Satisfaction with Career Development

Satisfaction with Career Development

%

(Base: Irish Working Adults - 1000)

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Key Findings

All in all workers feel they have a good understanding of what is expected of them.

To a lesser extent however is the belief that they make an important contribution to the company, this is most evident amongst junior members of staff who are just starting out in their role.

Owners and managers are the most confident in their job making good use of their skills and abilities, junior levels and semi skilled manual workers show the greatest frustration with this respect.

Junior levels also voiced a frustration with the lack of recognition they receive and show the least confidence in their contribution to the company, therefore, making them the most likely segment to consider leaving.

Additionally satisfaction with Senior Management will remain a difficult aspect to improve while direct management, due to their proximity to employees, achieve greater satisfaction scores.

Training and career development however really only become rated once employees have achieved a certain standing within a company.

Owners and managers came out with the most likelihood to recommend with 65pc of bosses advocating their work place to potential employees.