Tag: new YouGov survey

Colleagues not doing jobs properly makes staff the angriest at work

Nearly half (49%) of employees said that people that are perceived not to be doing their job properly is the thing that makes them angriest at work, according to a new survey.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by workplace expert Acas, asked employees to consider what would make them the most angry while at work.

Over two-fifths (44%) of respondents said it would be others claiming credit for their work, followed by an over-demanding boss (39%) and rude customers or staff (37%).

Acas Head of Individual Dispute Resolution, Stewart Gee, said: “It’s clear from our poll that there’s a range of issues that make people angry at work. Anger over a lack of recognition, rudeness, their boss or a colleague seen as not pulling their weight can impact productivity and escalate to conflict if left unresolved at work.

“Unresolved emotions over things that seem unfair can have a detrimental effect at work and it is important for workplace conflict to be addressed at the earliest possible opportunity.

“An informal resolution through an initial chat or mediation can help organisations prevent the cost and stress of more formal procedures such as an employment tribunal.”

Dealing with conflict positively and quickly can build trust and improve relationships. If employees feel that their frustrations could cause conflict, they should check their workplace policy and see what support is available.

Employers should typically encourage employees to raise issues informally first, before going through set formal procedures. This will usually help resolve disputes more quickly which is beneficial for everyone involved.

Stewart added: “Conflict at work is estimated to cost UK organisations £30 billion each year and Acas is holding a special conference next week that will feature expert mediators, trade unions, academics and employers on how we can prevent, handle and resolve conflict at work.

“Getting the basics right plays a key part in helping to reduce conflict at work. Acas offers employers training in performance management and this can be a key ingredient alongside an effective conflict management strategy to help prevent conflict at work.”

Acas is hosting a conference around discussing and resolving conflict in the workplace. If you would like to attend and speak to any of our workplace conflict experts, please email sbarclay@acas.org.uk.

For more information about the Acas conference, please visit here.

One in four workers worry that AI will lead to job losses

More than a quarter (26%) of workers are worried that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to job losses, according to a new survey.

Workplace expert Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in Britian what their biggest concerns about the use of AI were.

The poll also found that just under a fifth (17%) were worried about AI making errors, while 15% were concerned about a lack of regulation.

Acas Interim Chief Executive, Dan Ellis, said: ““Some employers may be looking to embrace new technologies as a way to cut costs, increase productivity or make workers’ jobs easier.

“There can be concerns from staff when new technologies are introduced at work and it’s clear from our study that their biggest worry is that AI will result in job losses.

“Bosses should have clear policies on the use of AI at work, remember that it is not a perfect technology and have open conversations with employees around its use.”

Some top tips for employers from Acas on the use of AI at work include:

·       Employers should develop clear policies regarding the use of AI in the workplace and should consult employees and any representatives on its introduction. If there is an expectation that certain roles begin using AI, that could mean a change of terms and conditions.

·       Employers investing in AI should highlight how it can improve employees’ roles and reassure staff that human involvement will still be needed.

·       Organisations should remember that AI is not perfect, so outputs should be checked for accuracy, tone and bias. AI should be cited when used and staff may require training on how to get the best outputs.

·       A company’s data privacy policies will apply for the use of AI, and it is wise to check with your IT team for approved platforms. Employees should be careful entering any information that is business sensitive or personal into public tools. Any information that you do enter could be made public or used by others, so check company policies on the use of AI in the workplace and be aware of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Acas is holding a special conference next month with experts that will debate the introduction of AI in workplaces. For more information please visit here.