date: 5 September 2008
embargo: 00:01hrs Monday 8 September 2008
CBI survey looks through 'rose tinted glasses'
Commenting on the CBI/Pertemps Employment Trends survey published today (Monday) TUC Head of Campaigns Nigel Stanley said:
'This survey reports some positive findings for staff, and of course we welcome any signs that employers are offering more flexible working and that they are more prepared to trust appropriate staff to work from home.
'But it would be wrong to think that this survey is a scientific measure of all companies or all employees.
'We doubt whether any of the employers of Britain's two million vulnerable workers most in need of better legal protection returned survey forms even if they were sent to them.
'This is a survey of Britain's better employers and therefore looks through rose-tinted glasses at today's world of work.'
The TUC's YouGov survey of more than 2,500 people at work shows that:
- 44 per cent of the workforce say that they do not have proper chances to learn new skills;
- 37 per cent say they do not enjoy good flexible working arrangements;
- 64 per cent say they do not enjoy opportunities for promotion and advancement.
Nigel Stanley said: 'The truth is that while most employers treat their staff reasonably well most of the time, workers need proper protection from the minority who do not.
'Employers who attack employment regulation have a duty to spell out which protection they want to abolish. Is it the minimum wage, maternity leave or holiday rights?'
|
To what extent do you experience each of these in your current job? |
|
|
Chance to learn new skills |
|
|
yes |
55 |
|
no |
44 |
|
Flexible working patterns that allow me to combine work with other responsibilities and interests |
|
|
yes |
62 |
|
no |
37 |
|
Opportunities for promotion and advancement |
|
|
yes |
34 |
|
no |
64 |
The full text of 'What workers want - an agenda from the workplace, for the workplace' is available at www.tuc.org.uk/extras/pollreport.pdf and the detailed figures are at www.tuc.org.uk/extras/pollfigures.pdf
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,857 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 28 July - 8 August 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+), trade union members and non-trade union members.
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Press release (600 words) issued 8 Sep 2008
