Redundancies 'damaging survivor morale'

Recession redundancies are damaging 'survivor' morale, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has warned.

In a YouGov survey of 3,000 employees, commissioned by the CIPD, 70% of respondents said that redundancies had damaged morale in their company, with 22% so unhappy that they were looking to change jobs once the labour market improved.

Many blamed their discontent on a breakdown in trust, with 81% saying that senior managers needed to restore or improve trust in their leadership.

Just over half said that frequent and honest communications would have the greatest impact on improving trust.

Ben Willmott, from the CIPD, said: "Survivors of redundancy programmes left 'punch drunk' by the process may not have the levels of motivation and commitment needed for their employers to capitalise on any recovery.

"Many disillusioned employees will vote with their feet and leave as soon as the labour market picks up."

Meanwhile, research by the British Chambers of Commerce has shown that more redundancies are likely before the end of the year, with many firms planning to lay off staff over the next six months.

In a survey of 450 UK companies, 35% with fewer than ten employees, 10.2% said that they were certain to make redundancies in the next six months and 41.1% that it would be considered.

The group is calling on the Government to "continue to promote measures that stimulate growth in investment and jobs".

IMAGE Chris Ison/PA Wire