Work-Life Balance No. 2: Managers, Employee Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance

Managers and direct supervisors play a critical role in employee satisfaction and workers’ ability to manage their work and personal responsibilities. When companies do not respond to the work–life challenge of staff, a loss of key players can result.

Document Highlights

This briefing, the second of part one in a two-part series, outlines key data that focuses on the manager’s role in employee satisfaction and in the work–life balance of staff.

For organizational success, it is essential to retain and maintain a satisfied, motivated workforce. Studies point out that while compensation, recognition and advancement opportunities are important contributors to employee satisfaction and retention, so too is the quality of the work environment—much of which is under the control of managers.

This study looks at:

• the role of supervisors and managers in employee job satisfaction and retention;
• characteristics of good managers;
• managers caught in the productivity–flexibility crunch;
• top team support;
• supportive managers at BCTel; and
• how IBM works smarter.