make suggestions in the workplace, according to a survey by Right
Management. In fact, 27% claim to offer more than 20 suggestions every
year. Right Management is the talent and career management expert
within Manpower, the global leader in employment services.
The firm analyzed responses from more than 600 individuals throughout
North America via an online poll conducted in partnership with
LinkedIn®.
"We find that employees really want to be heard," said Russ Settles,
Market Vice President at Right Management. "Making suggestions signals
they are thinking about the performance of the organization and want
to contribute over and beyond the requirements of the job. And this
can be seen as a great opportunity by employers – if they know how to
take advantage of it."
Among key findings:
• Nearly one-third of respondents indicated they offered more
than 20 suggestions last year.
• And 30% made more than ten suggestions, but fewer than 20.
• Only 6% offered no suggestions at all.
• Management and C-level executives were most likely to offer
more than 20 suggestions a year.
• The number of suggestions made does not vary by company size.
• By function, sales people were most likely to make the most
suggestions (50%) followed by HR professionals (28%).
• Women were more likely to make more than 10 yearly
suggestions (61%) compared to men (46%).
• Workers aged 55+ were more likely to make ten or more
suggestions (76%) than those aged 25-34 (51%).
"Our findings suggest a surprising number of employees go the extra
mile by making suggestions in the workplace," noted Settles. "At the
same time, however, in our experience there is little evidence that
companies really listen to employee suggestions — or, more important,
try to benefit from their perspective and enthusiasm."
Settles cautioned that companies often lose out on this opportunity to
engage with their workforce. "We know from our research that two top
drivers ofemployee engagement are feeling valued by senior leaders and
having employee opinions count. Listening to workers is especially
important because more and more people want to feel they are playing
an active part in what happens in the organization."
"For employers the implications are pretty clear. Be sure employees
feel heard and have the chance not just to share ideas, but to make
them happen," advised Settles.
Right Management surveyed 614 individuals via an online poll on
LinkedIn® conducted between January 20, 2010 and February 15, 2010.
About Right Management
Right Management is the talent and career management expert within
Manpower, the global leader in employment services. Right Management
helps clients win in the changing world of work by designing and
executing workforce solutions that align talent strategy with business
strategy. Our expertise spans Talent Assessment, Leader Development,
Organizational Effectiveness, Employee Engagement, and Workforce
Transition and Outplacement. With offices in over 50 countries, Right
Management partners with companies of all sizes. More than 80% of
Fortune 500 companies are currently working with us to help them grow
talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance.
