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Employees are happiest in small businesses
EMPLOYEES in
small businesses are the most satisfied at work, new statistics have
revealed. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has backed
a report on satisfaction levels in the UK workplace by the Trades
Union Congress (TUC) this week. While the TUC highlighted the
low morale amongst one in four of the UK's workforce, the poll run
by YouGov for the TUC also revealed the high levels of satisfaction
amongst employees of small businesses.
The 'What Workers Want' survey of 2,500 employees included over 600
who work in the UK's smallest businesses. As well as the
highest job satisfaction rate (21% strongly agreeing and 41% tending
to agree), small business employees were also the most committed
(64% ) and loyal (58%) to their organisations. Employees in
small firms also felt most engaged by their employer and reported
the most freedom to choose their working patterns. There were also
far fewer reports of bullying in small businesses; lower stress
levels and less complaints about long working hours.
Paul Henly, FSB policy manage for the North West, said:- "We
are concerned that 6 million people are unhappy in work, but the TUC
figures suggest that 18 million are happy, the vast majority of
which appear to be in small firms. In terms of the way they treat
their staff, small businesses consistently out perform their bigger
competitors. The figures really do speak for themselves, but
they aren't surprising. Small
business owners know their greatest asset is their staff and they
are far more likely to treat them as individuals and recognise their
needs. By having a committed and loyal work force that has a
say in how the organisation is run, the smallest business has a
bigger advantage. We are really pleased to see these
figures which bust many of the myths around small business
employment. We thank the TUC for their enlightening study which
comes ahead of their annual conference next week in Brighton." |
Cosmetic appointments on the rise as credit crunch continues
CREDIT crunch
workers are undergoing cosmetic treatments over fears their
appearance is holding them back at work.
Consultant vascular surgeon Brian Newman, who runs clinics
specialising in the minimally-intrusive treatment of spider and vein
threads as well as facial redness, said he has seen a surge in
patients keen to change their appearance to avoid discrimination.
He added:- “Rosacea and thread veins on the face can knock
sufferers’ confidence and sadly, there are misconceptions about the
cause of face reddening. I’ve treated patients who are worried
colleagues will mistake a red nose as a sign of alcoholism and
others who are concerned their acne-like rosacea is a sign of poor
diet and health. In our image conscious times, poor self
confidence can hold people back from achieving their full potential
at work.”
Dr Newman pioneered thermocoagulation, which uses microwave
technology, as a way of eliminating thread veins and rosacea and
said his bookings have increased dramatically during the credit
crunch.
He said:- “Appointments are up by 60% at the Clinics. It has
been well documented that people invest in themselves in times of
economic instability, and we are definitely seeing evidence of this.
Workers are nervous about their future career prospects and are
taking steps to make sure they are not overlooked because of their
personal appearance.”
Treatments can be carried out during a lunch hour, but more than one
treatment may be necessary.
Dr Newman operates clinics in Glasgow, Harley Street and Greater
Manchester |
