The Lava Bot

Managers have been asked to get constant feedback from their employees about their managerial skills and techniques, in order to reduce the workplace tension that could result in low productivity.

Psychologists feel that workplace stress is caused by the conflict between employees and managers, which can be resolved by active communication between the two. With a need to prove the same, HSE along with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Investors in People conducted a research on nearly 150 managers and 500 employees.

In the research, managers were asked to rate their own managerial abilities, while the employees were also asked to rate the management abilities and techniques used by their managers. The researchers then divided the managers into two groups. One group was given proper feedback on how the employees rated their abilities and were also given training on how to make significant changes to their management techniques as well as on how to reduce conflict and stress at workplace. The second group was given no such feedback or training and was asked to resume their jobs.

It was noticed that the group receiving feedback and training displayed significant changes in their approach and techniques. On the other hand, the group that did not receive such feedback went back to their roles in the same way as before. This led the researchers to conclude that feedback acts as a catalyst in improving workplace relationships.

Researchers feel that effective behaviour in workplace is possible through feedback and training and that it includes having the ability to

Manage conflict at workplace

Maintain integrity and manage emotions

Communicate properly regarding work

Showing empathy towards team members

It is pertinent to note that Ms. Donaldson-Feilder and her colleagues are now developing questionnaires for employees and learning tools for managers to help resolve conflict. These tools will be available on the HSE website.