Many UK HR departments don’t track essential employee metrics, according to research by HR and payroll provider, NGA Human Resources. This comes as data demand is growing with 77% of CEOs now demanding more insight from their HR teams.

With employment rates reaching record highs, there’s increased pressure for employers to keep top performers happy. Yet retention (48%) and career progression (50%) emerged as the two metrics that were the least tracked – demonstrating room for improvement if employers are to nurture, develop and retain their staff.

Absence and attendance (30%), personal details (33%), pay changes (39%), and recruitment (39%) were among the areas that are also being overlooked by many HR departments.

Metrics

Tracked (%)

Not Tracked (%)

Absence and attendance

70

30

Personal details

67

33

Pay analysis

61

39

Recruitment

61

39

Training

58

42

Diversity/Equal Opportunity

57

43

Progression

50

50

Retention

48

52

“Many companies still do not have insights into some essential employee information, leaving a ‘gap’ in reporting and visibility of overall performance,”said Richard Shinton, Business Intelligence and Analytics Product Manager at NGA HR.

“Tracking and reporting on attendance, pay, progression and staff retention are fundamental to business performance. If you don’t measure it, it becomes impossible to see any tangible improvement,” he added.

Rebecca Clarke

Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.