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CCH® HR MANAGEMENT — 5/23/06

Managers are managing better, reveals ClearRock survey

More managers are managing employees better today than they did years ago, according to ClearRock, an executive coaching and outplacement firm headquartered in Boston. Today, managers are doing a better job of properly delivering criticism and negative feedback and of creating greater career development for more levels of workers. Managers today are also cultivating more teamwork along with employee recognition and rewards.

"A combination of factors have coalesced, resulting in managers committing fewer glaring management mistakes, and coming to appreciate the benefits of career development, teamwork, recognition and reward," said Greg Gostanian, managing partner for ClearRock. "Contributing elements include huge damage awards arising from wrongful termination lawsuits, more widespread use of management coaching and training, and a better job market for, and a greater need to retain, high-performance employees and technical experts."

The survey also revealed that today's managers demonstrate a greater willingness to accommodate flexible hours and schedules, along with telecommuting. "The shortage of qualified talent and impending Baby Boomer retirements have influenced managers' better acceptance of flexible hours and workdays and telecommuting. This is viewed as a necessity to accommodate high-performance and critically skilled employees," said Gostanian. "The extensive and successful use of telecommuting has contributed to more managers’ comfort with a flexible, virtual workplace."

Finally, managers appear to have a great appreciation for the fact that not everyone is cut out to be the boss. Managers have recognized the value in keeping experts within their areas of expertise and developing them along separate career tracks if they don't want to manage other employees.

For additional information on this and other HR topics, consult CCH Human Resources Management or Personnel Practices/Communications.

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