Key Steps for Retaining Employees
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Leaders should communicate clearly, set managers up for success and focus on employee well-being, among other things, research by Gallup shows.
While the Covid-19 pandemic intensified workloads, increasing employee burnout and stress, research by Gallup addresses three steps leaders should focus on in 2022 to create a stable, less stressful work environment.
Clear Communication
Since Covid-19 began, the percentage of U.S. employees that believe their organization's leadership communicates effectively increased by six points, from 13% to 19%, according to Gallup.
In the work environment, it is easy to be wrong footed, which may result in leaders not saying anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. However, this can leave employees feeling confused, thus creating anxiety and lower work performance.
To combat fear and anxiety, managers must provide clear, ongoing communication, the report says. Clear communication lets people know you care about them, and when you cannot give definite answers to business questions, talk about your culture and goals.
One of the most impactful changes managers can make is increasing the frequency of conversations with employees. This makes it more likely that managers can identify concerns, roadblocks and signs of disengagement before the employee has an urge to resign, another Gallup report says.
Manager Development
Developing managers and setting them up for success is one of the best things leaders can do, Gallup says.
During the pandemic, few leaders were "properly trained" for managing a hybrid workplace. This meant they did not know how to capitalize on employees' strengths, much less coach them, the research finds.
Helping managers address those needs and giving them agency over their resources enables better performance with less conflict, according to the report. It will also help managers adjust to change, reduce their stress and improve their overall well-being too.
Employee Well-being
Well-being is based on five elements (career, social, financial, physical and community) that work cohesively to create a thriving work environment. Strengthening well-being can decrease levels of employee burnout, stress, worry, anxiety and depression while boosting trust, innovation and resiliency, the research shows.
For more information from the Gallup research click here.
Andre Claudio is an assistant editor at Route Fifty.
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