According to a new report from meQuilibrium (meQ), the increasing responsibilities of managers in today’s challenging economic, political, and social climate have made their jobs more difficult than ever. The report highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize manager well-being to create a more engaged and productive workforce.
The Challenge of Manager Burnout
- Managers are 36% more likely to report feeling burned out than non-managers.
- 24% of managers are considering quitting their jobs within the next six months.
The Importance of Manager Support
- Benefits of Strong Management:
- Creates psychologically safe environments.
- Acts as a frontline defense against workplace incivility.
- Positively influences productivity, engagement, and workforce well-being.
- Consequences of Poor Management:
- Leads to decreased employee motivation.
- Results in higher turnover rates.
- Diminishes mental well-being.
Insights from Experts
Bruce emphasizes, “Managing people is a difficult task, and it’s critical that managers are trained in the resilience skills of emotional intelligence to effectively support team members.” Organizations that focus on manager mental health foster a culture that values well-being, leading to a more motivated workforce.
Impact of Manager Support on Employee Well-Being
- Statistics:
- Employees well-supported by managers are 25% less likely to struggle with somatic symptoms of stress.
- 33% are less likely to have trouble getting motivated in the morning.
- 56% report lower levels of work stress.
- 58% lower prevalence of burnout among employees with strong manager support.
- Those lacking manager support are 4.5 times more likely to be retention risks.
Creating Psychologically Safe Environments
- Managers play a crucial role in fostering psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable taking risks and sharing ideas. Strong managers can boost psychological safety by up to 42%.
Addressing Workplace Incivility
- Effective managers serve as a frontline defense against workplace incivility. One in four employees reports experiencing mild forms of incivility, such as being ignored or talked over at work. Strong manager support reduces the likelihood of experiencing incivility by 66%.
Recommendations for Organizations
To prioritize manager well-being, meQ suggests the following actions:
- Deploy Resilience Techniques: Implement evidence-based techniques to help managers replace unproductive thought patterns with more effective alternatives.
- Encourage Self-Care: Direct struggling managers to access available resources within the benefits ecosystem.
- Foster Supportive Culture: Create an environment where discussing mental health is destigmatized.
Enhancing well-being among managers is essential for building a healthy workplace culture. By prioritizing manager support, organizations can reduce burnout, improve employee engagement, and create a more productive workforce.
