FED:Bosses given poor report card from staff

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
FED:Bosses given poor report card from staff

Eds: Embargoed until 0001 (AEDT) Friday, December 17



By Colin Brinsden

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Businesses suffering from a shortage of skilled staff could
find matters getting worse because of poor management and an exodus of staff in 2011,
a financial services consultant warns.

A survey by recruitment firm Robert Half found 40 per cent of employees described the
management skills of their direct boss as average or substandard.

But in many cases the bosses thought they were doing a good job, with nearly 40 per
cent of managers saying they consistently lead by example, while just 20 per cent of employees
agreed.

Slightly more bosses said they consistently showed interest in their staff's problems,
but only 23 per cent of workers agreed.

Likewise, a third of managers believed they set realistic goals, but only 17 per cent
of employees agreed.

And while 22 per cent of bosses said they inspired their team, only 17 per cent of
those teams said they were on board.

"Facing up to professional flaws can be a blow to the ego for many managers," Robert
Half director Kevin Jarvis said, releasing the survey findings on Friday.

"Taking steps to improve management skills is crucial to employee retention in the
current market."

The survey of 345 Australian finance, accounting and HR professionals also found 42
per cent of employees would leave if they thought another company had a better management
structure.

"If issues between staff and management are not resolved, many organisations could
see staff leaving in the New Year," Mr Jarvis said.

Firms must employ better management training, while discussing realistic goals with
their staff and setting up effective methods to address staff problems, he said.

AAP cb/rl/psm/cdh

KEYWORD: BOSSES EMBARGOED

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