Private sector employees are unhappy with communication, performance appraisals and development opportunities within their organisation, according to new research.

The survey of 400,000 private sector workers by assessment, development and research organisation ETS suggests that over 33% of employees have job security fears. ETS warns that this could worsen as employee satisfaction and engagement also face further falls.

Workers remain frustrated by employee surveys, with 28% of respondents saying they don’t believe any action will be taken on survey results.

Similarly, 37% say that performance appraisals do not give them any useful feedback and over 30% of workers say their line manager doesn’t support their development. 27% also blame a lack of opportunities for career development.

Commenting on the findings, Hannah Stratford, Head of Business Psychology at ETS, says employers must take decisive action: “A number of the key HR issues highlighted by employees in our research are not directly related to finances and will cost companies very little to take action on – such as improving communication with employees, offering opportunities for development, acting on engagement survey results and encouraging greater work-life balance.

“Companies must act swiftly in order to reassure workers, increase engagement and retain talent.  Ignoring these issues would be short-sighted as the company stands to benefit hugely from a more satisfied, engaged workforce.”