Page 289 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 4

a company may not be able to make a profit. And if the employees are not happy
with their work, they will not perform their jobs well for long and may decide to
leave the company.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORS

You learned earlier that supervisors often divide their time between manage-
ment activities and other work. They are responsible for implementing the
plans developed by the company’s executives. Supervisors must use the plans
to determine what needs to be done and who will be assigned to complete the
needed work. Then they must explain the work plans and assignments to their
employees. Finally, they need to be able to motivate employees to perform
effectively on a day-to-day basis.
One supervisor’s job may be very different from another’s, especially from
those of supervisors in other departments and companies. Employees have dif-
ferent levels of education, training, and experience. Some supervisors manage
experienced employees, whereas others work with new employees. In spite of
the differences in their jobs, supervisors still have a common set of responsibili-
ties in all companies.

COMMUNICATE THE GOALS AND DIRECTIONS OF MANAGEMENT TO EMPLOYEES In order for
employees to complete work effectively, they must understand what needs to
be done and why. Supervisors must be able to communicate effectively with em-
ployees. Good supervisors can show employees the importance of the company’s
goals and help them see how they can accomplish their own goals by helping the
company to be successful. They must use language and actions that are under-
standable and meaningful.

EXPLAIN EMPLOYEE CONCERNS AND IDEAS TO MANAGEMENT Employees want to feel
that they are a part of the company and that management considers their ideas
and opinions. Therefore, supervisors must take the time to talk with the people
they supervise in order to find out their concerns and ideas. Then they must
communicate those concerns and ideas to management and follow up to find
out what action was taken. Employees like to work for a supervisor who is
interested in them and their ideas. They will work hard for a company that is
concerned about them, involves employees in planning and decision making,
and takes their ideas and suggestions seriously.

EVALUATE AND IMPROVE EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE Supervisors get work done through
facts & individual employees and work teams. They need to be sure that each employee
is performing as effectively as possible. Supervisors regularly conduct perfor-
figures mance reviews on each employee. A performance review is a procedure that eval-
uates the work and accomplishment of an employee and provides feedback on
that performance.
Regular formal and informal performance reviews can reveal the employee’s
Keeping the best employees strengths and weaknesses. Supervisors must be both positive and objective
may be the wisest decision an when they complete employee evaluations. Good supervisors discuss these
organization can make. Lack of evaluations with their employees in ways that contribute to effective under-
recognition is a common rea- standing, not conflict. They provide rewards and recognition for employees
son employees give for leaving who perform well. They also provide help for employees who are not per-
a company. Secondary reasons forming well, so that their skills can be improved. This help might be in the
include low wages, lack of form of advice and coaching, or it might involve additional training. When
opportunities, outdated skills, serious problems occur, supervisors may be required to discipline employees
and lack of creative input. or even recommend termination.

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