Supervisors are quitting, yet nobody wants to step up to take their place, which is leading to burnout, poor workplace culture and empty leadership pipelines, according to a July 9 report from Express Employment Professionals.
More than half of job seekers who are or were supervisors said they’ve quit or plan to quit a supervisory position. They pointed to a lack of fulfillment or advancement in their career, not feeling adequately compensated, mental health issues tied to being a supervisor, a desire for more time off, a desire for more flexible hours or a desire to leave a people management role.
“Supervisors are saying, ‘No more.’ Future leaders are saying, ‘No, thanks,’” Bob Funk, Jr., CEO, president and chairman of Express Employment International, said in a news release. “The result? A vicious cycle that decreases effectiveness, breeds toxicity and weakens the workplace. The companies that come to terms with the situation and start implementing solutions will be the ones that succeed in this reshaped economy.”
In surveys of more than 1,000 U.S. adults and 1,000 U.S. hiring decision-makers, 86% of hiring managers said they believe supervisors have the tools they need. However, only a third said they offer training on critical skills such as conflict resolution or employee feedback. In addition, 72% said their companies should do more to better support supervisors.
Beyond that, nearly 3 in 4 Generation Z workers said they would prefer to develop individual expertise rather than manage people. Without a pipeline of future supervisors, companies may experience a leadership vacuum in coming years, the report found.
Notably, neglecting supervisor development can lead to several consequences, such as disengagement, lost revenue, weak culture, burnout and turnover. Instead, companies can reverse the trend by building leadership training programs, developing peer and mentor networks, investing in mental health initiatives and promoting work-life balance, the report found.
As supervisors struggle, C-suite executives are also experiencing a “crisis of confidence” as they face higher levels of stress, burnout and turnover, according to an LHH report. Senior leaders said they feel unprepared for today’s business environment and need more support.
