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Economic recession raised loyalty among Malaysian employees, workforce survey reveals

April 2010 Kuala Lumpur | The economic recession in Malaysia has generated a powerful sense of engagement between workers and bosses, with more than a third of employees surveyed saying they are more loyal to their employer, according to the latest survey from global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services.

The survey, conducted between early October 2009 and the end of January 2010, found that 37 percent of the respondents said the economic downturn made them more loyal, while 11 percent said it made them less loyal, and 52 percent said that it made no difference. The global economic recession has had a profound impact on the way workers view their jobs and their employment situation.

With millions of workers laid off, the prospect of being out of work or losing a job has meant that many workers have had to re-evaluate their careers and their job choices. Those workers who are more loyal to their employers attribute the shift to positive management, salary/pay levels that have improved or remained steady, and non-cash benefits that have improved or remained steady. Those who are less loyal say it’s due to poor management and falling pay.

The findings are part of the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people, including almost 2,000 in Malaysia.

Melissa Norman, Managing Director, Kelly Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

The impact of the economic slowdown on work attitudes has been greatest among Gen Y (aged 18-29) where 40 percent said the downturn had made them more loyal, compared with 37 percent of baby boomers (aged 48-65) and 33 percent of Gen X (aged 30-47). Kelly Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Ms Melissa Norman explained, "Employers who have communicated openly with their staff about the difficult economic conditions and who have tried their best to look after staff, have been able to build strong levels of trust in their organisations. This heightened loyalty is likely to become a real advantage, with a more committed and focused workforce, as the economy recovers.”

Results of the survey in Malaysia reveal:

The reputation of an organisation is shown to be a key element in the way that employees and prospective employees weigh their career decisions. In assessing a firm’s reputation, employees place most weight on the quality of its leadership, products and services, and employees. Least important are features such as global presence, financial performance and initiatives aimed at fostering corporate social responsibility.

“When we look at the things that motivate people in the workplace, it’s clear that opportunities for personal growth and development are critical, as is the chance to perform stimulating and challenging work,” noted Norman.

“Pay is certainly a motivator but it’s not as big as some imagine. Equally important is providing interesting and challenging work, and providing people with meaningful responsibility. Everyone wants to be valued in their role and take pride in what they do. This means that employers have to examine a broader range of employee conditions and business features if they want to have the workforce performing at its best,” she concluded. For more information about the survey results and key global findings, please visit the Kelly Global Workforce Index.

The Kelly Global Workforce Index is an annual survey revealing opinions about work and the workplace from a generational viewpoint. Approximately 134,000 people from North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific responded to the 2010 survey with results published on a quarterly basis. In 2009, Kelly Services was the recipient of a MarCom Gold Award for the Kelly Global Workforce Index in the Research/Study category.

Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: KELYA, KELYB) is a leader in providing workforce solutions. Kelly offers a comprehensive array of outsourcing and consulting services as well as world-class staffing on a temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire basis.

Source : Kelly Services