Almost half of UK businesses believe that the London Olympics resulted in higher morale in the office, with many managers reporting greater productivity, new research has revealed.
A survey carried out by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) of more than 1,000 managers found the Games had not had the disruptive impact on work flow as feared – with almost half reporting no effect on their organisation.
It’s research showed more than a third (41%) of organisations allowed staff to watch the Olympics in the office and 37% of managers reported an increase in productivity. A total of 67% of managers said the workplace had bonded over shared experiences while almost two in ten (18%) businesses trialled new ways of working including working from home and changes to start and finish times.
More than 40% of managers said their organisation intended to operate similar working practices after the Olympics, particularly with the Paralympics now underway.
Charles Elvin, Chief Executive of ILM, said: “After such an uplifting London Olympics, it was great to discover that many organisations also felt some benefits.
“It is encouraging to find that businesses took the opportunity to trial flexible working practices and those that did found it far from being ‘a skiver’s paradise’, their people were productive and motivated”.
Commenting on the research, Charlotte Gallagher, managing director of P3 People Management, Manchester’s leading property and construction sector HR consultancy, said: “Introducing flexible working conditions can really enhance workplace wellbeing and help boost productivity and loyalty from employees. By compromising on shift patterns and work practices during major events such as the Olympics or last year’s royal wedding, employers not only minimise absenteeism but also generate greater respect from their staff.
“Encouraging loyalty from the workplace will help managers retain the most talented members of their team and help develop a reputation as an employer of choice which is crucial when it comes to recruitment”.
Our grateful thanks to the experts at P3 People Management from Property Aspects Magazine in helping with this article.
