Engaging workers is the key challenge for employers in order to take advantage of improving economy.

Job security for UK employees is on the rise but workers are not as happy or motivated as many other European countries, according new research published today by Edenred, the global pre-pay business. The results are part of a pan-European survey conducted among 13,600 workers, in 14 countries, by Ipsos, which looked into attitudes to employment and the workplace. The 2015 Edenred-Ipsos Barometer found that a significant majority of UK employees had high levels of confidence in their company’s future (66 percent) and their personal future (62 percent).

Reflecting the improving economy, the survey also found that as the number of people worried about keeping their job fell to the lowest level since 2012 (26 percent from 35 percent), the amount of time spent at work is now as nearly as much as a concern as pay levels among UK employees (35 percent compared to 39 percent respectively). At the same time only 8 percent of employees said their motivation levels at work were high – the lowest level since 2012 – and the number of employees reporting falling motivation at work is the highest in the past four years at 29 percent. The remaining 61 percent said their motivation levels are stable.

When asked about happiness in the workplace one third (32 percent) of UK workers said they were happy at work – one of the lowest scores of the 14 countries measured – and less than half (43 percent) said they were happy with the quality of life at work. The survey also explored the impact of digital technology among workers  finding that 51 percent of employees saying it increased their skill level and 48 percent saying it had increased their quality of life at work. Andy Philpott, sales and marketing director of Edenred UK said: “Happy and motivated employees help organisations achieve higher levels of performance and inspire others to do the same.

It is clear from our research that UK employers are at risk of missing out on the opportunity to thrive because of apathy among their employees. It is therefore vital that leaders and managers step up to the challenge of engaging their teams, engaging and involving people through effective communication so they are motivated and happy. More broadly, it is critical that organisations think the investments they can make so that employee and employer feels the benefit of an improved commercial environment.”