I received a mail today from a leading communications company, which cited the following facts.
-Engaged employees take an average of 3 sick days per year; disengaged take 6
-Engaged employees generate 43% more revenue
-Engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave an organisation
-67% of engaged employees advocate their company or organisation compared with only 3% of the disengaged
Taking this in conjunction with a current hot topic – the BA strike – I couldn’t help but wonder about the numbers of cabin crew who have called in sick during the industrial action. The empty long haul flights can hardly be generating more revenue for the company, I suspect. And looking at the interviews with BA staff both on line and in the news media, it is quite apparent that they are largely demotivated, considering leaving and – to a great extent – disengaged. But why?
The main reason seems to be the way the leadership of BA has handled the situation. To quote one employee;
“I’ve been here 23 years and I will continue to support them. I am willing to take a pay cut and pull back in what little I am spending. But what I won’t do is not have my voice heard or be dictated to. At the moment I feel we are being harassed, we are being bullied. I have seen friends who are sitting at home, suspended for saying that they want to go on strike. I feel this is a huge issue and I feel that bullying and intimidation is crossing the line in terms of civil liberties.”
Strong and fair leadership is an essential pre-requisite to hgh engagement levels. If BA leaders continue to come across as dictatorial and dismissive of staff, they will damage one of the proudest, most committed and loyal employee groups ever seen. And imagine what that will do for their brand?????
