Australian workers more motivated than others


Warm days and hot nights are not impacting the motivation of Australia's financial services sector workers, despite an annual summer slowdown, research reveals.
An international survey commissioned by recruitment firm, Robert Half, found just two per cent of Australian financial services directors and chief financial officers, believed their employees were less motivated during the summer months, compared with nine per cent globally.
However, the survey found that more than one in five Australian employers believed lost productivity due to annual leave was having the greatest impact on their business during the summer, while 18 per cent of employers in the sector internationally felt the same way.
Although bosses may perceive holidaying staff members contribute to a slowdown during the summer, Robert Half senior managing director Asia Pacific, David Jones, said enabling employees to get away was key to success later in the year.
"Getting away from work, having a holiday and recharging the batteries is vital for every employee and critical to the success of every business," he said.
"Employees who take regular breaks are generally more satisfied with their job, more motivated and more productive upon their return."
The survey found that 34 per cent of Australian financial services sector employers believed the slowdown was the result of slowed commercial activity across the market, with a further 30 per cent believed less managerial direction due to annual leave was a primary factor.
Despite the traditional slowdown, 13 per cent Australian financial services bosses felt there was not negative impact, an opinion shared by 11 per cent of bosses globally.
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