Home > News > September 2004 > 03-Sep-2004

Bosses should welcome Britain back to work

Nearly 60% of employees dread returning to work after holidays - and employers are doing little to spark enthusiasm. That's the key finding from new Investors in People research exploring employee attitudes to work as the summer break draws to a close.

The survey shows that downcast employees, though refreshed by their break, need inspiration from management after their holiday. Some 58% just want their boss to show they care, including 44% who said that a simple "welcome back" would increase their motivation. Only 13% of employees said their employer could do nothing to help their enthusiasm when they return.

The research also highlights that change is on the mind for returning holiday makers. Over half of employees (51%) take action to improve their work-life balance, such as booking another holiday or vowing to leave work on time. A third of employees consider making changes to their work, either seeking a new project (19%) or looking for a new job (14%). Employers who don't anticipate and address these issues risk falling morale, lower productivity and employee departures.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of Investors in People commented: "You can understand employees' reluctance to return to the old routine, but it's less easy to see why bosses aren't reacting as their workforce wavers before their eyes. They've got to do what they can to help employees settle back in and keep them motivated long after the tan has faded - or enthusiasm and productivity will evaporate. Employers must take action before eagerness for change leads to a determination to leave."

"And it's so clear that the simple steps count. It doesn't take much to say 'welcome back', and the research shows it could have a massive effect on motivation. Exploring work-life balance initiatives can also be a major boost because it shows employers care about employee needs, that they're willing to be flexible. Britain's bosses need to realise their own behaviour makes a big difference - this research is a wake up call".

Other findings of the research include:

• Only 25% of employees feel more refreshed and enthusiastic about work than before they went away
• 25% of employees cite a full in-tray or in-box as the one thing guaranteed to undermine their enthusiasm on the first day back in work. 19% note a lack of progress on projects in their absence
• Only 38% of employees feel a holiday improves their performance at work. 52% say their holiday has no effect on their input
• On returning from a break, 21% of employees book another holiday, 19% vow to leave work on time and 11% resolve to take a full lunch break.

The research also shows a range of other steps employers could take to help boost staff performance on a day-to-day basis:

• 45% of employees would like management to offer them the opportunity to learn new skills
• 37% would like to be offered more flexible working hours (with a further 34% citing opportunities to work from home)
• 34% would like to be offered new challenges or projects
• 31% would value clear direction from management and a quarter of employees would like to have more opportunity to provide management with feedback

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