Effective communication between employees and employers is more important than ever in a virtual environment.
A majority of workers — 53% — say the most important thing they want from their boss is more feedback on their role, according to a survey conducted by SWNS Media Group. Less than half of the workers polled — 48% — said they were looking for greater compensation.
COVID-19 has also placed greater strain on relationships between managers and employees: 66% say the pandemic negatively affected their relationship with their boss and 40% said they would like their supervisor to stop micromanaging them. More than half of employees are
Managers need to address the challenges employees are facing and respond with empathy and flexibility, says Amber Clayton, Society for Human Resource Management Knowledge Center director.
“Many people are going through a challenging time. Some employees or their spouses have been furloughed or laid off and they may be struggling financially,” she says. “Talk to your employees regularly, now and if or when you plan to re-open. Be empathetic to their situations and try to make accommodations where you can.”
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Ensuring employees feel heard has become more difficult in a virtual work environment. To address concerns, consistent communication is key.
“Let employees know the status of the business operations and provide educational materials and information on employee benefits and safety,” Clayton says. “Be timely and transparent. Communication is key during these difficult times.”
The SWNS survey found the top 14 things employees want from their managers:
