The NFU report “Do you measure up? – A study on performance measurement systems in the Nordic financial sectors” is now published and available for download.

126 trade union representatives, covering a total number of 66 companies in the Nordic financial sector, have responded to the survey. The result show that performance measurement systems, which are widespread in the Nordic bank and insurance sectors, could have a negative impact on both employees’ work situation and the advice and information given to customers.

“If performance measurement systems are used in an excessive way, they create negative stress which in the long run is bad for the company, bad for the employee and bad for the customer […]”
(Quote from the NFU survey)

In the study, 54 % of the respondents state that performance measurement systems increase employees’ stress levels. The amount of administrative work is also indicated to increase due to the systems. As a result, the employees face a tougher work climate which decreases their chances of providing the best possible information and advice to customers. This is supported by the survey result, where 44 % of the respondents’ say that the quality of the employees work decreases due to the systems.

Download the report as a pdf here and the annexes here; Annex I, Annex II , Annex III.