WFH worries: Managers call for more training in remote worker management

Almost half of managers are calling for more help when it comes to managing their teams remotely – that’s according to a new survey from Ten Spot. The data found that 47% of managers are finding managing WFH staff difficult, with 26% saying it’s exceptionally difficult. What’s more, 81% of employees feel like thy actually want to quit purely because of their current boss.

“While adapting to remote and hybrid work has been an adjustment for everyone, it appears to have really turned employee management and retention on its head,” added Sammy Courtright, co-founder of Ten Spot. “It’s become painfully clear that managers know they aren’t doing a great job, and they desperately want, and need, training to both help them become better managers and to set a good example for the next generation of managers.”

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And it’s not only managers that’re feeling the pinch of remote work – 61% of employees think that working from home will hamper their career advancement opportunities and is harming their relationship with their leaders.

Demographic breakdowns

According to the report, men are twice as likely to struggling when it comes to managing remote workers, with 10% more men saying they need additional training in order to thrive in their current role. Almost half of men, compared to just 24% of women, say that then need training on building relationships in remote work, with 69% of male managers claiming that they’re concerned that their remote relationships with their bosses are putting their career advancement opportunities and earning potential in jeopardy.

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Looking at the breakdown in terms of age, 59% of Gen Z employees say they are managing remote teams – however, 76% of Gen Z managers say they need extra training – with that percentage rising to 81% in the Millennial category. Gen Zs describe their current managers as organized (44%), relaxed (44%), motivating (29%), confident (28%), and secure (25%) – seemingly suggesting that the younger generation of employees have a better, more authentic, relationship with their current bosses.

Mental health training in the age of COVID

The onus on upskilling shifted exponentially throughout the pandemic, with more and more employees seeking personalized development for both themselves and their managers. For HR leaders, a core area of concern was training in mental health and wellbeing concerns. Speaking to HRD in an earlier interview, workplace mental health consultant at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services’ (WSPS) Danielle Stewart, revealed the importance of investing in all-encompassing mental health training.

“Improving management skills around how we organize our work and manage our people can prevent mental distress and harm,” Stewart told HRD. “Management training can also support workers who are struggling to stay at work through various accommodations. Ultimately simple training can help to mitigate the cost of disability and claims costs and lead to higher productivity and efficiencies.”