HR is successfully devolving responsibilities to line managers, yet 1 in 10 employees would rather quit their current job than discuss a thorny issue with their boss, according to a recent survey from HR and payroll software provider, Snowdrop Systems.
Whilst employees are happy to talk to their bosses about routine tasks such as taking annual leave and taking time off sick, 4 in 10 employees claim they don’t like raising difficult issues because they believe they won’t be followed up afterwards. Over a fifth claim their boss is too busy and 40% admitted their relationship with their boss could be improved.
Amongst the 1000 respondents interviewed, only half would raise an issue relating to equal pay and only 47% would raise a formal grievance with their boss. Unsurprisingly, asking for a salary rise or promotion was cited as the most dreaded workplace conversation, with 60% of respondents saying this was a conversation they disliked.
The survey also revealed that while most employees prefer to deal with such issues face to face, over half believe it would be easier to use e-mail or an intranet in some instances, with 55% saying they would like immediate access to personnel data so they don’t have to trouble their bosses.
Michael Richards, Chief Executive of Snowdrop Systems, said: “It is clear that HR is successfully devolving responsibilities to line managers…HR technology is aiding this transition, both by reducing the amount of time HR has to spend on routine and administrative tasks as well as enabling employees to manage personnel records themselves.”
HR Zone recently featured a survey in association with Snowdrop Systems which looked at the degree to which e-HR systems were embedded in the day-to-day processes and strategic planning of HR Zone members. Access the survey results here.
One Response
Backwater
The use by managers or staff of HR systems to amend personnel records is not devolving HR to line managers. It, some of the time is saving on admin duties or half the time doubling the admin work as they don’t do it correctly as they don’t understand what they are doing. Computers are only a admin tool.
HR is a profession and not just some duty to be handed to a line manager like fire marshall.
Yes managers must take day to day responsibility for their staff but we must not allow HR to be driven into a corporate backwater because some bright spark who knows nothing about HR thinks anyone can do HR.
If HR is to have a future we must play an active part in the operation of the company or we will end up back in the tea and sympathy role.