A report on a research study

Learn how to write a report on a research study for your company.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Report on staff engagement at Girox Foods

Introduction

At Girox Foods, we are experiencing an annual employee turnover of about 12 per cent. Although this might not seem high at first glance, the industry standard is seven per cent. The principal objective of this report is to investigate the causes of employee engagement within the firm and, based on those, offer recommendations to improve the employees' experience of the workplace and increase employee retention.

Research methods

This study was conducted with over 500 employees of Girox Foods between March and August 2018, with the aim of understanding their experience and expectations of the workplace. The study covered the 80 branches of Girox Foods located in 20 European countries. In addition to the 500 questionnaires filled out by Girox employees, 120 also participated in ten separate focus groups where participants took part in discussions about their levels of engagement in Girox and their hopes for the future.

Key research findings

The top reason for employee disengagement given by 35 per cent of those surveyed is the lack of challenging work, followed by having too many working hours (34 per cent).
43 per cent of those surveyed said that the top reason for employees quitting their jobs was a lack of recognition, while 31 per cent stated that it was due to bad management.
There was no correlation between salaries and level of employee engagement.
47 per cent stated that their levels of engagement would improve if they felt more ownership of their work. 45 per cent wanted more flexibility both in terms of working hours and locations. 42 per cent were keen to see the company investing more in their career development.
59 per cent felt that their commitment to the company would improve if they were given training opportunities to improve their business skills. 64 per cent rated social and cross-cultural intelligence as the most important skill needed in the workplace.
41 per cent of respondents felt that there should be increased transparency in company communications, as this would lead to increased trust and more informed decision making.

Recommendations

On the basis of these findings, we recommend that Girox Foods adopt a more people-oriented management style. As part of this, we should explore ways of offering more flexible working hours to our employees and consider how we can enable employees to work from their chosen locations. Managers need to consider a variety of ways to challenge our staff and provide more positive reinforcement and recognition of the work they do. Increased investment in professional development, especially in the area of social and intercultural communication, could also contribute to creating a positive environment for employees to produce their best work.

Tips

Organise your report in sections and give each section a heading.
The wording of the headings may differ. For example, you could title the third section Findings or Main findings. However, the structure of all reports is generally the same:
- a description of the background situation and purpose of the report
- details of how the study was conducted
- the main findings
- recommendations based on those findings.
State practical details such as where the research was conducted, how many people participated and which methods were used (questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, etc.).
Use bullet points where appropriate to present points clearly.
Provide statistics or evidence to back up your claims.
Use an impersonal style of writing in order to sound objective. Using the passive voice helps to do this. Avoid using the pronoun I (but we is sometimes used).
Support your recommendations by explaining the benefits they would bring. Alternatively, warn what may happen if the recommendations are not implemented.

Discussion

What motivates you and keeps you engaged at work? What would push you to start looking for a different job?

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Language level

C1 - Advanced

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I think there are various causes to quit the job. Every one of us can we inform you about our experience in the workplace. I have been worked for one year at a productive company, and I decided to look for other opportunities in my subject of study field so I quitted from my previous job. However, there is another reason also, it was the lack of salary. Although you work with the same level and quality of your work engagement for your colleague will be paid per hour 11 euro, and for me has been paid 10 euro. I saw those times the unright payment, it was a temporary small company and maybe they tried to have employee retention, the overwhelming of employees were students but I was unsatisfied with that job. I would like to say that keeping your engagement at work if you will encourage by your company, maybe the employer should approach the human resource carefully and they have to look at the payment right.

Positive reinforcement and reconfiguration may motivate me because I think how much j work hard for the company if not being appraised or recongized as a good employee, and if I make a mistake, negative reinforcements are always received sooner or later I wouldn't become happy and want to quite th job.

A conductive environment and sound working conditions motivates and keeps me engaged at work. If there's job dissatisfaction this can push me to start looking for a different job.

The management accurate evaluation to their team and give put everyone on the right place mtivates me to engage in my work. And what is pushing me to look for a new job when I made sure the my management do not understand the work process .

Clear impact of my work on the overall progress of the project is a key factor for me. It is clearly what makes me motivated. I must feel that my work is well recognised and clearly appreciated. Of course, before others, myself should obtain a clear sense on the importance of my work. As the result I am satisfied with what I do and get engaged to the organisation. However, that is not all I need to stay engaged with the firm and not to quit it. Workplace is also very important for me; A bunch of nice and motivated colleagues, pleasant office (or working) area and a clear structure and well demonstrated duties at work are all important factors. Therefore, recognition along with a nice working atmosphere play the major roles in being engaged to my work.

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