A recent study highlights significant gaps between management perception and employee experience regarding managerial performance.
- Over 67% of UK employees have quit or thought of quitting due to poor management.
- About 46% of employees are uncomfortable discussing mental health with their managers.
- Training in management skills is crucial to increasing productivity and retention.
- There is a notable gap in perception of management training effectiveness between managers and their direct reports.
New research reveals a considerable disconnect between how UK managers assess their performance and how employees perceive it, with over two-thirds (67%) of office workers having left or considered leaving their positions due to inadequate management. This disparity underscores an urgent need for enhanced management training as a means to bolster productivity and employee retention.
The study, conducted by a provider of workplace mental health solutions, involved polling 3,005 office workers, comprising both managers and employees. Findings indicated that despite 83% of managers having received formal leadership training, only 63% of employees felt their managers were adequately trained. Notably, 40% of employees doubted their managers possessed the necessary skills for their roles.
Managers self-reported a need to improve in areas such as delegation (29%), feedback provision (26%), and organisational skills (25%). In contrast, employees emphasised the importance of softer skills, such as listening (32%) and team motivation (30%). This discrepancy highlights a critical competency gap, particularly as 57% of employees believe their managers require further education or training.
Listening skills emerged as a significant concern from the employee perspective, with 32% identifying it as an area where improvement was needed. Interestingly, only 18% of managers recognised this as an issue, although 55% of employees viewed listening as a crucial managerial attribute.
Discussions about mental health at work revealed a stark divide, with 71% of managers feeling comfortable engaging in such dialogues, compared to just 54% of employees. Moreover, a significant portion of employees (28%) feared that transparency regarding mental health could negatively impact their career progression, while 27% worried about maintaining confidentiality.
Furthermore, the lack of mental health training affects both productivity and workplace culture. A startling 26% of managers and 47% of employees reported having received no mental health training, impacting their ability to support mental health discussions. This is echoed by 70% of employees who claimed that skilled management in this area would enhance their productivity.
The consensus is clear: greater focus on comprehensive management training is crucial. A significant majority, 74% of managers, believe that improved training would enable them to better support employees dealing with health issues, including mental health. Recent trials suggest that minimal digital training can yield substantial improvements in managerial confidence and proactive behaviours.
The necessity for enhanced management training is evident, offering a pathway to improved workplace wellbeing and productivity.
