Line managers need more support

29/01/2008

Around 80% of HR managers believe that staff productivity would increase if line managers were better supported, a survey has shown.

A survey from Youmanage, an online HR toolkit, found that more than 50% of HR managers thought that heads of departments should take more responsibility for people management issues and 70% thought this would lead to a reduction in the number of employment tribunals and disputes.

In particular, HR managers believed that line managers should be better equipped at dealing with staff absence and sickness issues.

Commenting on the results, Phil Brown, Youmanage’s managing director, said: “This survey’s results give a clear message that better support and systems will have a beneficial impact on employee productivity.

“It shows that HR managers want line managers to be more accountable for people management issues.”

More than three-quarters of respondents thought that having better equipped line managers would improve their employees’ development.

A further 80% felt that this would free up HR managers to get on with their jobs more efficiently and spend less time being reactive.

Brown added: “There’s clear evidence that HR managers want the opportunity to add more value to their organisation, rather than being overwhelmed by routine support and admin tasks.”