A number of Canadian employees are not engaged enough at work, which is costing their companies dearly, according to Ceridian’s 2014 Pulse of Talent survey.
The study shows that 22% of Canadian employees are poorly engaged, and 5% are completely disengaged at work. Only 44% of respondents believe that their employer values the work they do.
But high engagement levels play a critical role in improving retention rates. An overwhelming majority (68%) of highly engaged respondents would like to stay with their current employer for five or more years—compared with 55% for all respondents and only 14% for disengaged employees.
Only 14% of highly engaged respondents are in some form actively looking for a new job with a new employer. This rate jumps to 63% for disengaged respondents.
“Organizations with high levels of engagement have less absenteeism and higher productivity than those with high levels of disengagement,” says Dave MacKay, president of Ceridian. “Employers risk losing significant payroll dollars for every disengaged employee.”
The survey also shows that only 38% of all respondents believe their employers prioritize internal candidates for available positions.
Among highly engaged respondents, 59% felt that their employer focused more on internal promotions.
Additionally, the report warns that, apart from keeping existing employees engaged, companies need to make sure they make a good impression during the recruitment process by communicating adequately with job candidates at every stage of the application process. The majority (68%) of respondents say that neglecting to notify candidates of their application status creates an overall negative impression of the company.
More than half (52%) of respondents say that they are less inclined to apply for other job postings in those companies that neglect to notify candidates of their application status.
And 44% say they will be less inclined to buy the company’s products and services.
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