A good relationship with the boss can raise employee engagement

Employees do their best work when they experience daily job satisfaction. That satisfaction most often stems from having a good relationship with their direct supervisor or manager, according to the National Workforce Engagement Benchmark Study conducted by Employee Hold’em , a talent retention and employee training company.

Nearly six of 10 full- and part-time employees reported that they weren’t fully engaged in a study conducted in spring of 2008. That figure has been consistent in surveys conducted by various organizations throughout the years. Twenty-five percent of all employees said they’re staying in their jobs because they have to. Thirty-two percent report that they’re unengaged.

Fully engaged employees generally serve customers better, stay with their employer longer, and recommend their organization to others as a place to work. Reluctant employees—those who stay because they have to—may do their jobs in ways that benefit their employer in the short term. Unengaged employees, nearly a third of all study participants, are “halfway out the door” and aren’t likely to focus on customer satisfaction or retention.

The study’s findings suggest that the following factors positively influence employee engagement:

• Enjoy a good relationship with their supervisor (77 percent)
• Have the equipment they need to do their job (73 percent)
• Have the authority to do their job (73 percent)
• Have freedom to make decisions (73 percent)
• Employers products or services are highly regarded (71 percent)
• Employee’s skills and interests are a good fit with the organization (70 percent)

The study recommends the following steps to engage employees:

• Intervene early with employees who might leave to understand why and try to retain them.
• Coach all supervisors on the critical role they play in employee retention and improved employee performance.
• Consider your organization’s selection process and change recruiting procedures if needed.
• Conduct exit interviews.

—“Study: Contact with Boss Can Raise Engagement,” by Kathy Gurchiek, Society for Human Resource Management Web site, Sept. 24, 2008.