randstad workmonitor, results wave 1 2014 a healthy lifestyle leads to better employee performance.

70% of the employees worldwide state they perform better at work when they work out or play sports regularly, according to the latest Randstad Workmonitor survey, conducted in 33 countries. Latin America and Asia score very high, while Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK are below the global average, although still more than half agree (53-56%). Working out and playing sports are key in achieving a healthy lifestyle, say 78%. It is the second highest scoring element, right after a good work-life balance (93%).

"A healthy lifestyle is something we all aspire to," says Mariëlle de Macker, MD Group HR at Randstad. "It is a given that healthy employees, physically as well as mentally, make for better performers. And thus contribute more to the overall business goals. I am happy to see that active health-at-work policies at companies are a widespread phenomenon across the globe. I can only encourage this trend!"

Healthy initiatives

87% of the employees say that staying fit is your own responsibility and not your employer's. Yet more than half (56%) of the employers have deliberately launched initiatives to support their employees in their quest for a healthy lifestyle. Almost a third (28%) of the employers allow their employees to work out during office hours, with Turkey at the high end at 40%. In Luxembourg, Czech Republic and Slovakia this is not a common practice (15% on average). Several employers (35%) provide in-house sports facilities or a discount to a gym. On top of that, 45% of all employers promote healthy food, for example in the company restaurant. To help employees stay mentally fit, 40% of the employers provide job coaches or mentors.

Personal initiatives to stay fit include deliberately taking the stairs at work (68%). Employees in India do this even more often than others: 86%. Half of the employees worldwide like to play sports with their colleagues, mainly in Latin America (67%) and Asia (63%), but less so in Western Europe (37%). Working out with colleagues scores a bit higher with the male respondents (55%), younger employees (59%) and those with a higher educational level (52%).

Quarterly recurring items

Mobility Index flat at 108

The Mobility Index, tracking the likelihood of employees finding another job within 6 months, is flat at 108; comparable to the last quarter of 2013. The highest mobility is registered in Latin America, the lowest in North-Western Europe and this trend is similar to previous quarters.

Employee confidence is stable

The level of confidence in finding a new (different or comparable) job within 6 months has slightly increased with 1% with a few regional differences. Employee confidence in finding a comparable job at another employer has increased in Germany (+9%), Greece (+8%) and the US (+5%) and declined in Malaysia (-9%). The confidence in finding a different job has increased in Denmark (+8%) and Poland (+7%) and decreased in Sweden (-8%) and again Malaysia (-8%). The overall fear of job loss is at 8% which is the same as a quarter ago.

Job satisfaction high in general

On average employees are quite satisfied with their current employer. The highest ranking countries are Switzerland (82%), Mexico (81%) and Malaysia (80%). There is no clear regional pattern except for several Asian countries who traditionally score somewhat lower than average: Japan (42%), Hong Kong (51%) and China (55%).

Focus on promotion increased in Denmark, Spain and the US

In Europe, Italy and Turkey employees are most focused on promotion and the Nordics the least. In Denmark there's an increase of 12% compared to the last quarter of 2013 and in Spain +7%. Outside Europe, India, Mexico and Brazil top the list, and APAC and Japan are at the low end. There's an increase in the focus of promotion in the US of +6% compared to end 2013.

The Randstad Workmonitor

The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in 2003, and now covers 33 countries around the world, encompassing Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The Randstad Workmonitor is published four times a year, making both local and global trends in mobility regularly visible over time.

The Mobility Index, which tracks employee confidence and captures expectations surrounding the likelihood of changing employers within a six-month time frame, provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiments and employee trends. In addition to measuring mobility, also employee satisfaction and personal motivation, as well as a rotating set of themed questions are part of the survey.

The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among a population aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. Research for the 1st wave in 2014 was conducted January 13-30, 2014.