 
Research from Norwalk-based Right Management found that nearly a third of employees nationally ”“ and by extension in Connecticut ”“ don”™t adapt to changes in the work place, causing employers to court lowered productivity.
“These findings are consistent with what our clients are challenged with in Connecticut,” said Bill Brimmer, market vice president for Connecticut and Westchester counties at Right Management. “Addressing the challenges created by today”™s tumultuous economy requires leaders to make a variety of difficult changes, from reductions in force to radical restructuring.”
The research found 31percent of employees are not able to adapt to changes at work, decreasing their effectiveness on the job and highlighting that engagement and productivity are at risk for many organizations.
Right Management, a talent and career management service, surveyed more than 100 senior human resource professionals across North America. The survey found them concerned about employee engagement and productivity as well as dwindling morale.
Right Management conducted this research via an online poll in the first quarter of 2009. Responses totaled 117.
“As our poll results demonstrate most organizations don”™t prepare their employees to handle changes at work,” said Brimmer. “As a result, change-management strategies tend to fail, undermining the organization”™s ability to achieve the goals the change initiative was designed to produce.”
Brimmer said the most common obstacles stem from a lack of planning, preparedness and skill in managing the change process.
“With careful planning and the support from top leaders, Connecticut-based organizations can help their work forces adapt to change, maintain employee engagement and productivity, and accelerate performance to new heights,” said Brimmer. “Failure to act can have severe consequences. Productivity drops, service quality declines, unwanted turnover and absenteeism increases, customer loyalty wanes and often the organization”™s brand reputation is tarnished. And all of that, of course, ultimately affects the bottom line.”
Brimmer said most change management strategies tend to fail because of human nature.
“Most people have a hard time dealing with change. But, more than that, they lack the specific behavior traits needed to adapt easily to difficult changing circumstances. Assessment instruments can help to evaluate an individual”™s propensity to deal with change. Coaching can help them to bridge to behaviors that reflect competence. Understanding and developing the behaviors that help individuals adapt and thrive during change will enable organizations to realize significant benefits and ensure the company”™s continued success.”
