The Top Expectations Every Employee Has for Their Boss

To ensure that you meet your employees’ expectations, you must understand them. Employers seeking advice on employees’ common boss expectations can use this helpful guide to understand the leadership qualities essential to their position.

Fair Treatment

Fair treatment and consistency are essential for an excellent employee-boss relationship. Employees should not feel mistreated or that their boss is playing favourites. Employees should have the same accountability standards, regardless of their position.

Many managers unintentionally make decisions that appear to favour one employee over another. Below are a few examples of a fair employer to help you identify your workplace behaviours and improve your leadership skills.

• A fair employer can hold themselves accountable and is not above the rules and guidelines for the workplace.
• A fair employer is transparent without being overly harsh and encourages you to be equally honest. This trait helps foster honesty and respect throughout the workplace.
• A fair employer is willing to assess and change workplace rules and guidelines that are harming or otherwise disadvantageous to the employees.
• A fair employer will consider employees and strive to understand their perspectives.

Respect for Employees

Getting your employees to respect you is easier if you respect your employees. A disrespectful boss will drive employees away from the company and create an unpleasant work environment.

At least 3.4 million Australians report disliking their boss for their disrespectful behaviour, making respect one of the most highly coveted traits employees want from their boss. A boss who respects their employees will adhere to the following practices.

• Listening to each employee when they address their concerns and considering their feedback when making decisions.
• Recognizing and thanking employees for their contributions to the company.
• Behaving kindly and courteously to employees.
• Providing kind and constructive feedback and accepting the same from employees.

Effective Communication Skills

Good communication is essential for a successful employee-boss relationship. It’s vital that your employees know what is expected of them, that you give clear instructions, and that you are open to feedback. Communication skills can foster a healthy relationship between you and your employees, making them feel valued and boosting employee engagement.

Communication must go beyond delegating workplace responsibilities and tasks to encompass a more personal relationship with your employees. For instance, employee satisfaction increases when employees feel that their boss values them as a person rather than a resource. Inquiring about employees’ lives outside of work and supporting employees if they are experiencing hardships is a core aspect of healthy, effective communication in the workplace.

Invested in Employee Success and Career Development

Employees want to feel like their boss is invested in their career development. This investment means providing opportunities for training, growth, and career advancement. It also involves providing regular feedback to employees on their performance and discussing their career goals.

Below are some primary ways employers can invest in employee career development.

• Offer educational opportunities for employees who want to advance their careers.
• Provide mentoring programs for employees looking to move into a higher position.
• Notify employees when new positions open that you think they are qualified to perform. Consider an internal company job board.

Encourages A Comfortable Workplace Culture

Employees will want to work in a positive work environment. Developing a positive environment means creating a culture where everyone feels respected and comfortable, where there is no discrimination or harassment, and where employees feel like their opinions are valued.

Additionally, a comfortable workplace culture requires bosses to listen to employee reports of mistreatment or harassment from their fellow employees. By fostering a culture of honesty and empathy, you can ensure that employees are satisfied with your performance as their boss and proud to work for your company. Have protective rules in place to prevent discrimination against minority employees, and enforce penalties if another employee violates these guidelines.

Team Player

Being a team player is a valuable asset for bosses looking to meet employee expectations. A leader who is a team player is not only experienced in their position but works to promote a valuable corporate culture and steps up when obstacles arise. Team player bosses account for everyone's opinion to address issues within the company and value employees' input, even if they disagree personally.

Ultimately, a team player leader will work for the organisation's greater good. A respectful boss will not view their opinion on sensitive matters as more important than the opinions of others and will look at various perspectives to thoroughly understand and consider solutions that employees suggest.

Offers Flexibility

Workers commonly want a job that gives them flexibility in their schedule, the number of hours worked, and options for work locations. Many employees want options to work from home and contribute to a healthier work-life balance. Because many people value their lifestyle and relationships over the relationship to their work, individuals are likely to commit to jobs with some level of flexibility.

Explore options to foster a flexible work environment for your employees. Consider positions that could quickly adapt to remote or hybrid work environments or the possibility of developing new positions they can complete remotely.

Nearly 85% of Australian employees would choose to work remotely at least once a week if given the opportunity from employers. Of this 85%, 36% of respondents said they prefer to work remotely daily, while 35% are interested in working remotely 2-3 times per week.

Be the Best Leader With WellsGray Recruitment

Even individuals with advanced leadership skills can only run an organisation with expert talent. If you are having issues finding employees suitable for your organisation’s open positions, WellsGray Recruitment is perfect for you.

WellsGray Recruitment specialises in temporary and permanent staffing for Australian leaders looking to boost their success. The comprehensive screening process offered at WellsGray ensures that you hire employees that go above and beyond workplace expectations.

Contact us today to get started on becoming the best boss and leader you can be for your talented employees.

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