BambooHR report: Cultural disconnect between employees and bosses

Lindon-based BambooHR, a human resources software provider for small and medium-sized businesses, has released a study revealing significant disconnects between frontline employees and leaders on various aspects of culture and many employees are considering quitting because of culture concerns.

One key finding of the study concerns the state of the office culture. It found that 73 percent of respondents agree that culture is not defined by a physical space and 71 percent said that their company has expectations for new employees and junior staff that don’t exist for senior employees and leadership. Employees want culture to reflect better pay and benefits, communication from leadership and better work-life balance.

The report also said that human resources professionals are struggling. Nearly a quarter of HR managers (22 percent) reported that remote work has caused them to spend most of the workday on tasks they dislike or hate.

Workers also reported a disconnect between office leaders. Over half (52 percent) said their CEO is viewed as the ultimate decision-maker regarding company culture and a third (33 percent) say they regularly experience HR saying one thing, with direct managers and leadership contradicting it with something else.

Survey respondents said throughout the past year, companies have adjusted to strengthen culture but 77 percent of employees wish their company would have done something different to help promote a positive remote or hybrid working environment. These perception gaps abound with 94 percent of vice presidents and above, saying culture is strong while only 65 percent of individual contributors say the same.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen many adjustments but as companies settle on remote, hybrid or in-office workforces, changes to company culture will be a significant factor in how employees view that transition,” said Cassie Whitlock, head of HR at BambooHR. “This data makes it clear that the role of HR is changing and it’s time for leadership at the highest ranks to take notice.”

Other finding include:

• The top ways companies have adjusted to strengthen culture in the past year are increasing communication from leadership (50 percent); supporting mental health (46 percent); and focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion (45 percent).

• According to employees, the top places culture needs to be stronger is in pay and benefits (43 percent), communication from leadership (41 percent) and better work-life balance (40 percent).

• In the past 18 months, 28 percent of office workers have been job-searching.

• Nearly 1 in 5 (19 percent) of employees say they began job-searching due to declining company culture and 16 percent say they’re searching for another job out of fear of what new culture might develop as offices reopen.

• Office workers say the top expectations that exist for new employees and junior staff that don’t exist of senior employees and leadership are needing to work fixed, specific hours (39 percent); an expectation to always be online and respond immediately (34 percent); and that they should always be in an office if there is an office available (26 percent).

While these cultural adjustments play out, HR leaders have carried a heavy burden as nearly half (47 percent) say that in the past year, HR tasks and responsibilities have become more difficult due to remote work.