Businesses 'need to be honest' with employees

Honesty in the workplace is more important than ever, according to one human resources specialist.

Claire McCartney, an adviser from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said that the recession made staff desire honesty from managers regarding the commercial standing of their business.

She suggested that this would allow all staff to work together and develop a common strategy to deal with professional and financial challenges.

Acknowledgement for a job well done was also considered important, as some individuals may feel pressurised and under-valued due to the difficult economic climate.

Recent research by ChrysalisCourses.co.uk found significant levels of employee dissatisfaction in the UK, as six in ten Britons say they are not happy in their job.

One-third of people feel "completely undervalued" in their current role, while three in ten stated that their post was not challenging enough.

Improved honesty at all levels of an organisation could raise performance and enable staff to communicate better, for the benefit of both business and morale, it added.