One in five British workers are frustrated in their jobs, according to new research.

Consulting firm the Hay Group found that 20% of employees feel stifled by their company’s rigid processes and procedures and are unable to use their own initiative.

Half of employees (50%) believe that they do not have the authority necessary to make critical decisions and a further 50% feel excluded from the decision-making process at work.

More than a third (35%) of staff do not think that their job allows them to fully demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Ben Hubbard, regional director at Hay Group’s employee survey division, said: “The frustrated employee phenomenon poses a major business risk and a significant missed opportunity.

“Business leaders must ensure that induction, development programmes and support structures are all designed to maintain the right people in the right roles at the right time.”

The Hay Group study also found that more than half (56%) of managers fail to create a positive working environment and 41% of leaders actually de-motivate their staff.

Under-performing colleagues are also a major cause of frustration, particularly within the automotive sector.

Respondents believe that only 44% of companies in the industry effectively prune back their “deadwood workforce”.

“Tolerating poor performers will only compound the frustration of productive colleagues left to pick up the slack.

“Companies that fail to address ‘deadwood’ risk high-performing staff becoming frustrated, de-motivated and potentially seeking pastures new,” warned Mr Hubbard.