4 Ways HR Can Improve Manager and Employee Relationship

27 of June, 2023

You know that managers and employees are the lifeblood of any organization. Keeping them engaged and working together harmoniously is one of the most important jobs of HR.

When managers and employees have a good, trusting relationship, it leads to higher job satisfaction, better performance, and lower turnover. But all too often, the relationship sours due to miscommunication, lack of feedback, micromanagement, or simply lack of time invested in building that connection.

In this article we will talk about ways you can improve the manager and employee relationship to foster a better work environment in your company. Let’s dive into it!

Set Clear Expectations and Good Communication

As an HR manager, one of the most important things you can do is set clear expectations between managers and employees. Good communication is key.

• Schedule regular one-on-one meetings for managers and direct reports to connect. This gives both parties a chance to ask questions, provide feedback, and make sure they’re on the same page regarding priorities and performance.
• Encourage an open door policy. Managers should make it clear that their door is always open for any questions or concerns. Employees will appreciate knowing their manager is accessible and willing to listen.
• Provide constructive feedback. Managers should give positive feedback when it’s deserved, but also address any areas that need improvement. Employees want to know how they can grow in their role.

Using software like Sesame can help facilitate better communication through features like automated meeting scheduling, feedback forms, and employee engagement surveys. The relationship between managers and employees is the foundation of a successful company culture. Putting in the effort to set clear expectations and enable open communication is well worth it. Your managers, employees, and business overall will thrive as a result.

Provide Training and Development Opportunities

As an HR manager, one of the best things you can do is invest in your people. Provide training and development for your managers and employees so they can strengthen their skills and advance in their careers.

With the right opportunities, managers and employees will feel more engaged and motivated. They’ll also better understand the company’s goals and values. Win-win!

You have a few options here:

• Send managers and key employees to industry conferences and events. This exposes them to new ideas and helps build networks.
• Offer tuition reimbursement or subsidies for job-related courses or degrees. This shows you support their growth.
• Provide mentorship and coaching programs. Pairing junior and senior staff fosters learning and collaboration.
• Host regular lunch and learns. This gives managers and employees a chance to strengthen connections in an informal setting.
• Make a skills training program available. Give staff access to online courses, videos and materials so they can learn at their own pace.

Investing in development and growth will pay off through increased productivity, innovation, and staff retention. And with tools like Sesame HR software, providing and tracking these opportunities is easier than ever. So what are you waiting for? Empower your people today!

Facilitate Collaboration Between Managers and Employees

Foster Open Communication

As an HR manager, open the lines of communication between managers and employees. Create opportunities for them to connect in person, like at company events or over coffee. Encourage managers to be transparent in their decision making and share company goals with their teams. Employees should feel comfortable voicing questions, concerns, and feedback to their managers.

• Hold town halls where employees can ask senior leaders questions directly.
• Set up mentorship programs to pair managers and employees.
• Conduct engagement surveys to identify issues, then facilitate discussions on how to address them.
• Make an open-door policy where employees can speak freely with HR or upper management.

Open communication builds trust and understanding between managers and employees. With strong connections across the organization, collaboration will happen organically. People will work together more effectively to achieve shared objectives when they feel heard and valued. As an HR professional, keep the conversations going to enable cooperation at all levels.

Talk to the Person Behind the Employee

It’s easy to see your employees as just another cog in the machine, but behind every worker is a real person. Make the effort to get to know your team members on an individual level.

• Set up one-on-one meetings to discuss their career goals, interests outside of work, and any concerns they may have. Show you value them and their time.
• Make the conversation two-sided by opening up about yourself as well. Share details about your own life to build rapport and find common ground.
• Ask open-ended questions to spur discussion. Rather than just “How’s it going?”, try “What are you most passionate about right now?” or “What do you do for fun on the weekends?”
• Really listen to understand their perspective and priorities. Look for ways to align their goals with the goals of the business.
• Provide feedback and praise to let them know you notice and appreciate their efforts. Saying “thank you” can go a long way.

Building personal relationships with your team leads to greater job satisfaction, higher productivity, and less turnover. When employees feel valued and understood, they become more invested in their work and the success of the company. Take time to foster an authentic connection with each person, and you’ll reap the benefits of a cohesive, motivated team. The extra effort will be worth it for your HR team and bottom line.

Sesame’s integrated performance management tools allow you to easily schedule one-on-one meetings, set reminders, and track employee goals to help strengthen your relationships. Our software solutions empower HR to improve company culture from the inside out.

Conclusion

So there you have it, some ways you as an HR professional can help build better relationships between managers and employees in your organization. Improving communication, providing coaching, facilitating feedback, recognizing good work, building trust, encouraging collaboration, and mediating conflicts are all effective strategies. Focus on one area at a time and be consistent.

Over time, you’ll transform the dynamics between managers and employees, creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and able to do their best work. And when managers and employees have good working relationships, your whole company benefits. So keep at it – the investment in time and effort will absolutely pay off.

And, of course, you already know that Sesame can help you to make the communication between managers and the team easier. Try a free 14-day trial right now!