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TORONTO, July 18, 2013 /CNW/ - A little motivation goes a long way, a new survey from OfficeTeam suggests. More than six in 10 (61 per cent) workers interviewed admitted it's at least somewhat likely they would leave their current position if they felt disengaged. That's bad news for some employers: more than one-quarter (26 per cent) of professionals said their company is not effective at keeping staff motivated.

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 869 workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments in Canada and the United States.

Workers were asked, "How likely is it that you would leave your current position if you did not feel engaged?" Their responses:

Workers were also asked, "In your opinion, how effective is your company in keeping workers motivated?" Their responses:

*Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.

"When workers are disengaged, retention shouldn't be a company's only concern -- productivity and customer service levels also suffer," said Robert Hosking, OfficeTeam executive director. "There are many factors that contribute to strong employee engagement -- chief among them are the ability of staff to reach professional goals and understand how they contribute to the organization's big-picture objectives."

OfficeTeam offers five ideas for keeping employees motivated:

1. Keep them out of the dark. Whenever feasible, give your staff updates on the company's financial performance and long- and short-term goals, and explain what this information means for them and their jobs. Sharing this information will help them feel connected to the organization.
   
   
2. Ask for input. Actively seek feedback from team members. Maintain an open-door policy, and an open mind, so that it's easy for individuals to approach you. Reach out to those who may be uncomfortable voicing their thoughts to ensure their ideas are heard.
   
   
3. Break out of comfort zones. Encourage staff to take on new responsibilities and projects. By giving your workers a chance to try new things, you'll demonstrate your confidence in them and help them build new skills.
   
   
4. Discuss career aspirations. It's crucial for employees to set career goals so they feel they're working toward something and can see that the company supports their professional aspirations. Talk to your staff about their ambitions and work with them on plans for meeting those objectives.
   
   
5. Give them a break. Remind workers to take regular breaks to recharge, and set a good example by doing so yourself. If your team seems particularly stressed, organize a collective breather where you can provide snacks or a catered lunch.

For additional ways to inspire your staff, download Motivating Your Team: 25 Ways to Increase Employee Engagement, a complimentary advice guide from OfficeTeam available at www.officeteam.com/employerfreeresources.

About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam is the nation's leading staffing service specialising in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.officeteam.com. Follow OfficeTeam at twitter.com/officeteam, and gain insights into the latest administrative hiring and salary trends at www.officeteam.com/salarycentre.

SOURCE OfficeTeam