Business leaders have highlighted how an engaged workforce means increased productivity, innovation and competitiveness – as the Government launched new guidance to help bosses engage their employees.

Leaders from the public and private sector have contributed to the package of advice developed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to help employers put the principles of employee engagement into practice – and improve business performance as a result. They include: Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, who said, “Our colleagues are key to the success of our business. Employee engagement is about making sure that the 150,000 people we have working at Sainsbury’s understand what it is we are trying to achieve for our customers and why we are trying to achieve it.”

Philip Green, Chief Executive of United Utilities, comments, “Employee engagement is one of the key drivers of the success of any business. I can’t imagine having high levels of customer or shareholder satisfaction without high levels of engagement.” Richard Lambert, Director General, CBI, says, “One of the things that has become really clear in this past recession is that employee engagement and trust between employer and employee has made it easier for people to come through the tough times in better shape.”

Representing the Civil Service, Sir Gus O’Donnell comments, “The more engaged our workforce the more likely employees are to be thinking about creative, innovative ways of helping people who need it the most.”