Possessing good listening skills is important for the average person but is especially important for safety professionals and construction or manufacturing supervisors. Effectively listening to employees regarding their operational, health and safety concerns is a critical component of fostering a positive and productive work environment yet, according to a new survey, some improvement may be needed. A Safety Culture “Feedback from the Field”report found that many frontline American, Australian, and British workers do not believe their ideas or concerns are acknowledged and acted upon by management. Sixty-seven (67) percent say they are never, rarely, or only sometimes listened to regarding what they consider to be serious matters. Moreover, the survey also found that 66% of American frontline workers said they are never, rarely, or only sometimes listened to by management about concerns they deemed to be very important. A major source of anxiety is the effectiveness of their company’s COVID-19 prevention program, and some believe that employers do not pay attention to them regarding this vital issue.
When communication does occur, it sometimes comes from the top down with twenty-two percent of surveyed workers saying that it is one way within their organizations. Forty-two percent reported that management hears their concerns and responds however thirty-four percent feel discouraged from complaining or providing feedback, believing they would not receive a positive response. Workers also expressed fear of repercussions for reporting safety or quality issues to management with thirty-six percent of frontline them believing that alerting supervisors to safety or quality issues could lead to their dismissal.
Numerous studies have concluded that a workplace where employees are encouraged to express their opinions about safety or quality control issues is both safer and more productive than others, yet the Safety Culture survey suggests that many managers still are not listening. Beyond the obvious benefits of a happier, more engaged workforce, what other enhancements may an employer realize from improving management’s listening skills? Helping to stabilize a volatile and unstable workforce is just one good reason, among many others.
This year, more employees than ever have decided to walk off their jobs, and in record numbers, prompting Anthony Klotz, a professor at Texas A&M University, who predicted that this mass exodus was coming in May 2021, to coin the term The Great Resignation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4 million Americans quit their jobs in July 2021 alone. There is no reason to expect this trend will not continue so employers should do everything possible to make their employees feel comfortable in their current circumstances.
For employers, assembling and sustaining a loyal, productive workforce has never been more challenging so ignoring or downplaying employee concerns or complaints could prompt some of them to reassess their situations and possibly decide to leave the company. Obviously, this needs to be prevented so improving and strengthening the listening ability of managers is not just a good idea, it is essential to running a successful business in the post-pandemic world.