COMPANIES are working with their staff to overcome tough economic times, a survey showed today.

The poll of 319 UK businesses employing almost 2m people found that employee relations were either co-operative or very co-operative in two-thirds of cases.

Some 40% of firms quizzed for the Facing the Future survey by employers’ body the CBI and recruitment specialists Harvey Nash described staff morale as high or very high.

Andrew Palmer CBI director for Yorkshire, said: “In the UK, we have a good story to tell about collaboration in the workplace during the worst of the economic crisis. By working pragmatically and flexibly together, employers and employees have been able to safeguard and create jobs.

“With two-thirds of businesses reporting high levels of co-operation in their workplace, employers clearly understand the value of engaging their employees and keeping them informed about business challenges being faced.

“The interests of employees, employers and the economy as a whole will continue to be best served by maintaining these positive employment relationships.”

The survey showed that just 5% of businesses described employee relations as adversarial or very adversarial.

Some 85% said their employees recognised the need to contain costs and adapt patterns of work in response to market pressures.