Employers who set up "competency frameworks" for staff are probably wasting their time, new research suggests. A study from the Institute of Employment has found that the time and money spent by employers trying to define and disseminate lists of desired behaviour, in the hope of helping staff to change their working practices, is wasted without training and support. "If employers listened to their staff they would realise that many are confused and suspicious about the real business purpose," said author Marie Strebler.