Bosses see perks of "annual cull"
Published On 15 January 2007 at 13:44:42
Nearly three-quarters of UK bosses would like to sack a quota of underperforming staff each year, a survey found.According to talent management consultancy Hudson, businesses are increasingly convinced that annual culls would improve performance and boost productivity.
However, three-quarters acknowledged the disadvantages of introducing a "culture of fear", although one in six claim they could sack staff without harming morale or productivity.
A further one in four bosses claim that, because of skills shortages, it is safer to hang onto underperforming staff.
Accordingly, just four per cent of companies do implement an annual cull, even though many high profile bosses, such as Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, recommend the practice.
Hudson found that business often struggle to rid themselves of underperforming staff, even though nearly half of those surveyed felt that sacking five per cent of their workforce would be "healthy".
There are concerns that good employees have to "carry" poor staff, while handing out the P45s would enable weaker employees to find challenges better suited to their skills.
Hudson polled 562 executives and senior managers across the UK.
© Adfero Ltd
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