Employee interpersonal relationships critical

Independent research amongst 5,132 UK employees by One Poll on behalf of online learning provider, SkillSoft, has uncovered the importance of good interpersonal relationships to employee well-being.

More than half of the overall top 10 factors identified by employees as having an influence on their well-being link directly to interpersonal relationships. “Working with people I like” is cited by 48.6 per cent of respondents; and having this reciprocated “feeling liked by my colleagues” scores almost as highly (41 per cent).

“Getting on well with my boss” is ranked by 34.8 per cent as critical, although “getting on well with colleagues” appears to be more vital to the majority of employees – with 43.2 per cent classifying this as key to well-being in the workplace.

The value of good relationships with work colleagues was also evident when employees were asked who they would talk to first within their organisation if they were unhappy at work. Over a third (36.3 per cent) would consult a colleague and a further 29.2 per cent would prefer to confide in their direct manager or supervisor.

However, only 2.4 per cent would speak to their HR department. Of concern to HR professionals and managers alike will be the fact that a worrying 17.3 per cent claim they would stay