Dive Brief:
- A recent poll of over 16,000 global employees by Monster asked respondents which element of the employee experience gave them the greatest sense of job security.
- Perhaps the most interesting finding was that a good relationship with one's manager, which gathered over a quarter (29.25%) of votes, beat out getting a higher salary (17.48%).
- On the other hand, the highest result overall for respondents was consistent opportunities for growth/promotions (33.77%).
Dive Insight:
To HR pros, the data isn't all that surprising. Younger employees have consistently stated in previous surveys their desire for career development and culture. Working parents have also eschewed higher pay, opting instead for employers who provide better family benefits.
How do you go about improving the employee-manager relationship? It's a critical question; research shows middle mangers in particular drive retention and engagement like no other relationships in the workplace. That's because managers are often the first point of contact regarding company policy and other concerns.
Outside of this, appreciation is a huge factor. Employers (and, again, emphasis on managers) who go out of their way to thank employees for their efforts are likely to see corresponding returns.