Guernsey Press

Employee engagement 'not just an HR responsibility'

Published

Wendy Leedham was allowed time out from her job as head of offshore retail banking at Lloyds Bank, based in Jersey, to be part of the task force and an initial six-month placement turned into 18 months.

She has since moved on in the bank to work from the UK, heading a retail branch review across the Lloyds Banking Group.

After 30 years in banking she said it was a culture shock but also 'an amazing experience' to work with the Engage for Success team.

'It changed my thinking completely about the workplace and about leadership. Employee engagement is a challenge to the whole business, not an HR responsibility. I thought that HR was there to drive it into the business, but I see it very differently today.'

Mrs Leedham said she believed in the Engage for Success mantra that full engagement of staff was better for the individual, the company, and the island or country. 'You can realise your capabilities and potential at work,' she said.

And the engage agenda was even more important given the rapidly changing nature of the workplace, she added. 'The old-fashioned leadership style is less relevant today and can be a real turn-off for younger people.'

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