Employee productivity can take a big hit when the boss leaves, according to a new survey by staffing firm Robert Half.
Both employees and chief financial officers believe having a vacant senior manager role has an adverse impact on the team’s efficiency, though those in leadership (78 per cent) are likelier to find it a greater problem than employees (69 per cent).
Nearly half (49 per cent) of employees and 42 per cent of chief financial officers surveyed said the greatest cause of lost productivity is decreased employee morale or motivation, followed by increased workloads (19 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively) and fear about job security or the relationship with the new boss (19 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively).
Read: 58% of Canadian workers are stressed on a daily basis: survey
“Changes in management create an opportunity for employers to demonstrate a corporate culture of support and open communication with staff,” said Greg Scileppi, president of Robert Half‘s international staffing operations.
“Whether it’s questions about like their own job stability, potential changes to their role or just the process for transition, managers should do what they can do alleviate any concerns employees may have that could impact their ability to effectively do their jobs.”
Read: Employer replaces performance reviews with quarterly development conversations