A recent survey by Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll sheds light on a crucial factor for success in Canadian workplaces:
honest communication
. The findings are clear: almost all job seekers (93%) believe that an environment where employees and managers can be open and truthful with each other is essential for a company’s success. This is further reinforced by the fact that the vast majority (89%) see honest communication as critical for a productive workforce.The survey also emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable discussing personal issues with their managers, especially if these issues are impacting their work. This open dialogue fosters a sense of trust and understanding, ultimately leading to better performance and a more positive work environment.
The benefits of fostering honest communication are undeniable. A large majority of job seekers (82%) indicate that they would be more loyal to a company where they feel they can be honest with their managers. This loyalty is directly linked to improved morale (48%), increased productivity (44%), and stronger company loyalty (43%). Conversely, when employees are unable to speak honestly, the survey revealed a decline in employee morale (58%), productivity (51%), and an increase in employee burnout (48%), resentment (47%), and turnover (44%).
Canadian hiring managers echo these sentiments, recognizing the vital role of honest communication in a company’s success. Two-thirds (66%) agree it increases employee morale, while other significant benefits include heightened employee loyalty (60%), improved productivity (56%), reduced conflicts (51%), and decreased turnover (47%). Furthermore, over half of hiring managers (58%) believe that employees feeling comfortable being honest is absolutely essential for them to be effective leaders.
While most companies (84%) believe they have fostered a workplace that encourages honest communication, the survey highlights areas for improvement. While nearly all employers (96%) feel their employees can speak honestly with anyone in the company, there’s still a need for improvement in how employees feel about discussing personal issues that impact their work. Less than half of job seekers (40%) report feeling comfortable discussing these issues with their managers. This underscores the need for companies to provide more support and resources to ensure employees feel confident and safe sharing personal challenges.
The survey also emphasizes the crucial role of proper training for managers. Job seekers appreciate companies that provide resources and training to support honest communication, but the survey reveals that more than half of hiring decision-makers (58%) admit their company doesn’t currently offer managers specific resources or training on how to handle personal issues raised by employees. This highlights a critical gap that needs to be addressed. A strong majority of job seekers (90%) believe that providing managers with resources and training on managing personal issues is at least somewhat important (23% believe it’s absolutely essential). Similarly, most (88%) believe that providing employees with resources and training on managing their personal issues so it doesn’t negatively impact their work is at least somewhat important (21% believe it’s absolutely essential).
As Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO, emphasizes: “The foundation of any good relationship is trust, which is no different in the workplace. Similar to other leadership training, managers can significantly benefit from structured programs that emphasize healthy communication and the ability to handle challenging conversations.”
The survey’s findings emphasize the importance of fostering a culture of honest communication in Canadian workplaces. This requires a commitment from both employers and employees to create an environment where trust, respect, and open dialogue are prioritized. By providing the necessary resources and training, companies can equip their managers and employees to navigate challenging conversations, build strong relationships, and create a more productive and rewarding work environment.
