BRITISH CONSUMERS DO NOT TRUST COMPANIES THAT OUT SOURCE JOBS TO INDIA

Performance House the global performance management and benchmarking organisation and britains largest private sector union is warning that UK consumers are prepared to punish UK companies that consider outsourcing jobs to India and that there is a clear perception that companies are hiding information about their off shoring intentions.

An extensive survey into consumer attitudes to off shoring, which will be published this week at the TUC by Amicus and Performance House will reveal deep seated fears amongst consumers about the economy, individual jobs and demonstrate a willingness to take into account off shoring when choosing financial products.

The survey also demonstrates concerns over data protection and the ability of overseas call centres to deliver a service to the same standard as UK based operations and a demand for more direct consultation for companies that are considering moving overseas.

Off Shoring awareness
Figures show that 63% of respondents would consider migration when making purchasing decisions. 67% were aware of off shoring stating television, radio and newspapers as the source of their awareness. Only 7% stated that company literature was the source of their awareness. 48% can actually name a company which they believe have moved work off shore (including Abbey National, Barclays, BA, BskyB, GUS, Lloyds TSB, Powergen, Prudential and Zurich).

Reason for mistrust
85% of respondents express a strong concern over the security of data protection with off shored information. 79% also believed that companies had a duty to inform customers when they are dealing with an off shore facility. 79% of respondents believed that companies have not clearly addressed customer opinions over migration. 54% believed that the level of service would decline and only 26% were happy to use foreign call centres.

Another overwhelming result is that 87% thought that companies which service UK customers should support jobs in the UK.

Roger Lyons, Amicus Joint General Secretary, said:

This is a hammer blow for UK based companies that think they can get away with outsourcing financial service jobs out of the UK and use the cost savings to pump up their profits."

The Amicus/Performance House survey demonstrates the weight of opinion which is going against outsourcing companies. Every UK company will take a deep interest in our results because 90% of UK companies already have an operation over seas."

Now is the time for the Government to order an enquiry into an issue that is clearly a cause of great concern to the electorate so that we can take the steps needed to manage our changing economy."

To obtain your copy of this report contact Performance House.