Kaitlin Howes
Middle managers are the backbone of any organization, acting as the vital link between upper management and frontline employees. However, the role of middle managers has become increasingly challenging.
With the pressure to improve business performance coinciding with dipping employee engagement, the demands on these managers are higher than ever.
Empower managers to boost morale and encourage progress
In our Workplace Wellbeing: Where to focus in 2024 report, 79% of managers reported that they feel responsible for their team’s wellbeing.
One of the most effective ways to support middle managers is by empowering them to take charge of employee morale. We provide managers with the tools and freedom to recognize and reward their team members, which is crucial for maintaining high morale and encouraging progress.
When managers have the ability to directly influence team morale through recognition, they can create a positive and motivating work environment. This not only enhances team performance but also alleviates the pressure on managers by giving them a clear, actionable way to drive results.
Recognition programs that are manager-led or manager-approved allow leaders to reinforce what good, great or excellent performance looks like. By rewarding employees accordingly, managers can set clear expectations and encourage their teams to strive for excellence. This approach not only boosts individual performance, but also fosters a culture of recognition and appreciation within the organization, leading to higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.
Flexible redemption options to support employees
One of the common challenges managers face is knowing how to reward their employees effectively. The dilemma of not knowing what to give can be a significant stressor, especially when trying to ensure that rewards are meaningful and appreciated. Reward Gateway | Edenred addresses this issue by offering flexible redemption options, which allow employees to choose rewards that best suit their needs.
This not only helps to alleviate financial stress but also strengthens the bond between employees and the organization, as they feel valued and supported.
A one-stop-shop platform for managerial support
Middle managers often juggle multiple responsibilities, from overseeing team performance to ensuring employee well-being. Our one-stop-shop employee experience platform is designed to streamline these tasks, providing managers with an easy-to-navigate tool that consolidates all necessary resources in one welcoming place.
With everything stored on a single platform, managers can quickly access practical support for their teams. Whether they need to direct an employee to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, remind them to take advantage of the Wellbeing resources or encourage them to use available discounts to ease household budget pressures, the platform makes it easy.
This level of support enables managers to respond promptly to their team's needs, reducing stress and improving overall team wellbeing.
Streamlined communication to bridge the information gap
Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful management.
In our Transformation of Work and Leadership report: Engaging employees through respect and growth, we found that 40% of employees want their managers to have better communication skills.
However, middle managers often find themselves caught between upper management, who have access to all the information, and employees, who are tasked with executing the work. We can help bridge this gap by offering well-designed company blogs and internal communication rhythms that streamline the flow of information from executives to management and, ultimately, to employees.
Open and honest communication is crucial for keeping employees well-informed, productive and connected to the organization’s mission and goals. When managers can easily disseminate key information and updates, it reduces confusion, builds trust and fosters a sense of belonging among employees. This, in turn, enhances engagement and productivity, making the manager’s job easier and more rewarding.
Get in touch with one of our team today to discover how you can better support your managers, while driving productivity and retention across your workforce.
