New study released reveals the current economic climate, tough austerity measures and Eurozone crisis is leaving the UK workforce demotivated and with low morale – where over half of respondents (58 percent) don”t think there will any benefit from the Olympic Games – amidst fears over career progression, lack of pay rises and wasted qualifications.

Key findings from the survey of 1,500 UK employees, conducted by business performance consultants Lane4, set up by former Team GB Olympic swimming champion and commentator, Adrian Moorhouse – were: Morale of British workers hit by economic crisis. Over 15 million UK workers haven”t had a pay rise in two years. New Motivation Barometer from Lane4 reveals that a third of British employees feel demotivated because of the current economic climate. More than half (52 percent) haven”t had a pay rise for at least two years A similar number (57 percent) feel they have no clear career path A third (33 percent) fear they”re wasting their qualifications and skills And over three quarters (76 percent) believe the “Olympic effect” on the UK workforce”s morale will be either short-lived or non-existent. Lane4”s Managing Director and Olympic Gold Medallist Adrian Moorhouse calls for business leaders to “act now”.

A new Motivation Barometer released today reveals the detrimental impact the current economic climate is having on the British workforce, as more than half (52 percent) of respondents say they have not had a pay rise for at least two years and 57 percent admit they have no clear path for career progression. In the midst of the government”s austerity measures, low consumer spending, the Eurozone crisis and rising unemployment, the study of 1,500 UK employees commissioned by Lane4, a leader in the field of human performance, shows only half of British workers (52 percent) actually feel motivated.

To add to this, a third of employees (33 percent) feel so down about work that they”re looking for a new job and a further 21 percent say whilst they”re not actively “looking” they would consider new job opportunities if they came along. According to the research, workers across the UK are not expecting a long-term morale boost from the Olympic Games taking place on home soil. Significantly, over half (58 percent) of respondents claimed that it would have no effect on workforce morale, whilst a further 18 percent claimed that any morale boost would be short-lived.

The barometer also shows that alongside pay worries, concerns over wasted skills, feeling “trapped” at work and a lack of team spirit with colleagues are key contributors to this lack of motivation. A third (33 percent) are worried their skills and qualifications are being wasted in their current job and 39 percent think their office has a negative team dynamic – quite a challenge for business leaders across the country. More than a fifth (22 percent) of employees say they feel trapped in their job to pay household bills. Nearly half (45 percent) of the workforce also have a tip for their leadership teams – they believe that their company should celebrate success more, which they feel would improve team morale.

Despite bleak job prospects for 16-24 year olds with youth unemployment currently standing at 21.9 percent*, the study reveals that it”s older, long-serving staff who have the lowest morale. Two thirds (64 percent) of 35-44 year olds admit they have no clear career path, while 36 percent of the same age group say they feel demotivated because of the current economic situation. Regionally, respondents from the North West think they have the bleakest prospects 66 percent feel they have no clear career path, 40 percent feel demotivated and more than a third (37 percent) think their qualifications are being wasted in their current job.

Commenting on the news, Lane4”s Managing Director and Olympic gold medalist, Adrian Moorhouse, commented, “In today”s testing economic climate, UK business leaders face a growing challenge in engaging and motivating employees to deliver. These findings show that the UK”s workforce is at a seriously low ebb and, with x days to go, the London Olympic Games is not expected to make things feel any better. “There is much that business can learn from our British athletes and their dedicated support teams, such as setting goals, coaching employees or celebrating successes. I believe UK business leaders have a unique opportunity to learn from the games, creating environments that both inspire employees and help achieve long-lasting results – but only if they act now.” The survey of 1,500 UK adults was conducted by OnePoll from 5th to 10th July 2012 *Source: Office for National Statistics, Labour Market Statistics June 2012, Young people in the labour market.

Summary of key findings: 

57 percent of respondents don”t feel they have a clear path of career progression in their current job

31 percent feel demotivated at work because of the current UK economic climate

Only 24 percent feel they have a clear path of career progression in their current job

33 percent feel their skills, qualifications and talent are being wasted in their current job

52 percent haven”t had a pay rise in at least two years

18 percent haven”t had a pay rise in their current job

40 percent think their workplace doesn”t have a positive team dynamic

32 percent are searching for new jobs

22 percent feel trapped in the current job to pay household bills

22 percent have been in the current job at least ten years

40 percent have been in their current job for at least five years