How the bond with a manager affects employee engagement
24/07/2024
Background:
Objective: The study aimed to analyse the relationship between the strength of the bond with a manager and work engagement, readiness for job crafting, and the psychological and physical wellbeing of employees. Additional focus was placed on identifying differences in engagement and job crafting between managerial and non-managerial employees. The study also examined the role of factors such as age, gender and organisation size in levels of work engagement. Another key aspect was exploring how remote work shapes the relationship between employees and their managers.
Methodology: Online interviews (CAWI) using the LMX-7 scale (assessment of the bond with a manager), UWES (work engagement) and the Job Crafting Scale.
Target group: Line managers and non-managerial employees, varied by gender, age, place of residence and work arrangement (on-site, remote, hybrid).
Execution:
The study was conducted in July 2024 with 601 respondents, including line managers (351) and non-managerial employees (250). It used the LMX-7 tool (assessment of the employee–manager relationship), UWES (measurement of work engagement) and the Job Crafting Scale (analysis of activity in modifying working conditions), taking into account differences between professional and demographic groups as well as the context of evolving work models such as remote and hybrid working.
Results:
Delivering the project required collaboration with international researchers and research centres, which presented challenges in terms of understanding differences in research approaches and maintaining effective communication between partners. Although the project was academic in nature, it was aimed at a broader audience — including managers and employees. We presented the findings in a clear and accessible way, demonstrating that scientific research in fields such as psychology and sociology is not reserved for a narrow circle of specialists, but can (and perhaps should) be inclusive and have a real-world impact. The study confirmed significant correlations between the bond with a manager and various aspects of employees' work and health. A stronger bond was associated with higher levels of engagement, vigour, absorption and dedication — among both line managers and non-managerial employees.
Go to the report page
Ⓒ COPYRIGHT 2012-2026 SW RESEARCH SP. Z O.O.
