How has COVID-19 impacted managers and employees?

There is an alarming disconnect between managers and employees – and COVID-19’s remote working landscape is driving them even further apart, according to new research by Enboarder.

Indeed, more than 3,000 employees and managers around the world were surveyed to see if their responses were aligned.

The results found almost 75% of managers are confident they fully understand how their teams are feeling amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic.

However, only 32% of employees say their managers have specifically asked them how they are feeling.

Interestingly, managers and employees unanimously agree that the new remote working climate has made communication between them increasingly difficult, however their reasons failed to match up.

Employees recorded a decrease in one-on-one conversations with their managers, with many under the impression that COVID-19 had increased their managers’ workloads and drastically reduced their availability.

However, a staggering number of managers (44%) say their workloads have actually decreased due to COVID-19. Only 31% recorded an increase and less than 25% say their workloads have remained the same.

Moreover, up to 48% of managers admit they have reduced the frequency of their one-on-one catch ups since transitioning to remote work.

It’s a surprising decline given that 61% of managers say their teams are less productive when working remotely, with almost 63% believing they have to be physically present in order to get the best out of their team.

Almost half of the employees surveyed said they feel equally – if not more – engaged and productive when working from home.

Director-level employees were most likely to be feeling ‘hopeful’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, signifying a major disconnect and potential lack of information transparency within organisations.

It’s a feeling not shared by the rest of the business with one in three employees admitting they feel anxious.

A mixture of remote and in-office work may be the way of the future with 54% of respondents saying they want to continue working remotely in some capacity.

Moreover, 40% prefer an office atmosphere and say COVID-19 has made them realise they don’t enjoy working remotely.