CIPD survey shows fear of increasing levels of industrial action

The latest CIPD Employment Relations Survey highlights the need to boost employee engagement as public spending cuts put relations between management and trade unions under pressure.

The latest CIPD Employment Relations Survey highlights the need to boost employee engagement as public spending cuts put relations between management and trade unions under pressure. 71% of those surveyed agreed that there will be increasing levels of industrial action in the next 12 months and 33% predict strike action by their staff is likely.

According to a survey of nearly 400 employers by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) – the Employment Relations Survey – 71% agree that there will be increasing levels of industrial action in the next 12 months and 33% predict strike action by their staff is likely. The Survey particularly highlights deteriorating employment relations in the public sector as spending cuts begin to bite. 79% of public sector respondents agree employers can expect to face increasing levels of industrial action over the next year and 49% say strike action among their staff is likely in the next 12 months. In contrast, just 18% of private services sector respondents anticipate employees in their organisation may take strike action in the next 12 months.

The survey also found six in 10 employers see developing or maintaining employee engagement as the most likely (65%) and most desirable (59%) focus for developing positive employee relations going forward.

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