Research from Perkbox Vivup Group, the global benefits, wellbeing and engagement platform, has revealed a big rift between managers and business leaders, with 60% of managers agreeing that there is a growing disconnect between managers and those leading the business. This presents a challenge for business leaders, as they attempt to navigate an economy in which business growth is difficult to achieve.
Frustratingly for business leaders, there appears to be a perception that they are placing disproportionate focus on the bottom line and not prioritising employee challenges, needs and engagement. In fact, a significant majority of Britain’s managers (66%) believe their leaders care more about profit than their people and 59% of manager respondents say business leaders are shirking their responsibilities when it comes to supporting team members.
As a result of this, it’s unsurprising that nearly three in five (58%) agree that their engagement with the business will be negatively impacted if further pressure is placed on them. Managers feel forced to perform beyond their capacity, with 59% saying business leaders expect them to deliver, what they view as, the impossible.
Managers do not feel they are being heard
Business leaders need to make time to listen to their managers’ experiences. Less than a third of managers (30%) feel they work at a business which encourages open conversation about the challenges they are experiencing, and this is impacting their ability to help themselves and to support their teams.
Meanwhile, 68% of managers believe business leaders are too far removed from the day-to-day work and are failing to acknowledge increasing stress levels. And further, over half of managers (51%) don’t believe their leaders listen to their feedback or make the necessary changes that could have the ability to make an impact.
Strengthening support frameworks
Perkbox’s research highlights where managers believe there is a specific shortfall in support. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of managers claim that business leaders expect them to provide meaningful wellbeing support to their teams, yet do not provide the necessary tools. Meanwhile, a similar number (66%) say that their team members want greater access to personalised perks and benefits, another indication that businesses aren’t perceived to be providing adequate support.
There remains, however, a bridge of understanding across these groups as over half (52%) of managers agree that their business leaders are doing all they can to help managers provide the best support possible to team members. Moreover, this rose to three-fifths (60%) of managers who already have access to a perks and benefits offering.
Commenting on the research, the Perkbox Vivup Group’s CEO, Doug Butler, said “We are seeing a clear disconnect between the expectations of business leaders, and the support managers feel is required for their teams to meet business objectives. Those leading businesses need to listen to their managers and seek greater alignment on priorities if they wish to promote engagement, productivity and, importantly, retention across their workforce.
“Leaders must remember that managers are critical to connecting company goals with engaged employees who can deliver on those objectives. We must empower them to manage effectively by listening to their challenges and providing them with impactful tools to more effectively do their job.”
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