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The importance of employee-manager relationships

Regardless of the level you currently work at, everyone has a story or two about a nightmare boss. Bad bosses have long been an amusing topic explored in film, but in actuality, an ineffectual boss can be more than just an annoyance – it can have a significant impact on productivity, output and the bottom line.

Conversely, a good boss can change everything. Like any good captain or leader, a good boss can motivate, inspire and push their employees to be the best they can be. So, when we make it to managerial roles, it bodes well to remember what it was like to be further down the ladder.

According to a study by Bayt.com entitled ‘Relationships between Employees and Managers in the Middle East’, researchers demonstrated the value that employees placed on having a good relationship with their boss. Encouragingly, two thirds (67.9%) of workers questioned stated that they “enjoy working with their managers” and that the relationship with them had “improved” over time, but its significance goes deeper still.

In the Middle East, a huge 93.6% said that having a productive relationship with their boss was highly prized to them. This loyalty isn’t surprising when we examine the overwhelmingly positive responses the study got. It found that 44.9% of respondents described their relationship with their manager as “friendly and productive”, 22.2% as “formal and work-centred” and 30% as “balanced and professional”. Only 2.9% felt that their relationship with their managers was “unproductive and/or unprofessional”.

Promoting happiness at work

Moreover, being a good boss pays: 68.8% reported that their managers were “one of the main reasons they are loyal to their job”. In terms of productivity, 54.5% stated that their performance was contingent on their direct managers and a further 71.4% said that their direct managers were “extremely important to their overall career success”. But away from career and output, managers and bosses can greatly impact an employees’ mental wellbeing with 82.1% saying that their relationship with their boss impacts their happiness at work.

“Employees spend the majority of the working day in the office, so having a healthy relationship with co-workers and managers is essential for optimal performance,” commented Suhail Masri, vice president of Employer Solutions at Bayt.com. “Without these relationships employees can feel stressed and neglected and their performance is likely to suffer as a result.”

So what makes a good manager?

Respondents stated that those who challenged them (83.7%), cared about them (83.6%) and those who had an open, transparent communication policy (74.6%) were the most popular and effective managers.

Masri further elaborated on the findings: “Managers in the Middle East and North Africa should be aware that employee loyalty is largely affected by the type of relationships they form with employees. As the poll shows, employees value a manager who communicates openly, who encourages employees to work on challenging tasks, and shows care towards their work. Building healthy relationships with employees is an essential task to make organisations more successful and hold stronger employee retention.”

So to sum up, treat people the way you would want to be treated and you will be rewarded with more than just a good working relationship. Register with us today to get access to our extensive database of exceptional international graduates who are keen to meet employers just like you.