IMAGESBAZAAR

India has one of the most highly engaged workforces in Asia

The Towers Watson ‘2012 Global Workforce Study (GWS)' reveals that one-third (35 per cent) of workers across 28 countries are highly engaged in their work while others are struggling to cope with work situations that do not provide sufficient support or emotional connection. At a time when employers need to count on employees more than ever to meet their growth objectives, this finding poses a disturbing risk. Workers may be reaching a tipping point in maintaining the connection with their companies that yields consistent productivity.

Employees in India are anxious about their future financial and job security, are increasingly tired of changes in their work environment even as they feel they are putting in significant discretionary effort to be more productive to serve customers better and help their organisations succeed.

The GWS finds that India has one of the most highly engaged workforces in Asia. Employee sustainable engagement entails three key elements – traditional engagement, enablement and energy. The highly engaged Indian employee scores high on all three counts. One in two employees in India (51 per cent) is highly engaged, compared to 35 per cent globally and 39 per cent in Asia.

Highly engaged workers have an intense, positive connection to their companies, marked by a committed effort to achieve work goals (being engaged) in environments that support productivity (being enabled) and maintain personal well-being (being energised).

Although overall employee engagement is high, there are some factors at the workplace that may threaten the employers' ability to maintain their engagement overtime. Employees have issues over future financial and job security, work-related stress, career advancement opportunities and performance management.