74% of employees are more productive with encouraging managers, report finds

Employees are 74% more productive when their managers offer support and encouragement, according to Reward Gateway | Edenred’s Bridging the ROI Gap report. 

The research showed that 73% of employees with supportive managers are more likely to stay in their roles, 71% are more motivated to go above and beyond, and 68% are more likely to get on with colleagues.

People managers remain the first point of contact for workplace issues, with 38% of employees saying they would go to their manager with a problem. 

Fewer would approach a colleague (17%), a senior manager (12%), someone from the leadership team (10%) or HR (6%).

The research also showed that 69% of employees agreed their manager keeps them up to date with company news, 66% said their manager reviews their progression, 64% said their manager recognises their efforts, and 63% said their manager checks in on their workload and capacity. 

62% said their manager sets goals and targets, while 60% said their manager checks in on their wellbeing.

Chris Britton, director of people experience at Reward Gateway | Edenred, said: “The role of people managers has evolved significantly over the last decade. 

“Line managers used to be responsible for just traditional resource and performance management, but now their role encompasses supporting, facilitating, guiding and connecting both teams and individuals across diverse working environments.