African american calm businessman relaxing meditating in office

A key component to reducing turnover is addressing the psychological and emotional needs of employees, according to new research from 15Five, which was shared in a press release. These needs are especially important for Generation Z employees, and for millennials who comprise a great percentage of management and leadership.

The report, titled “The Next Generation Workplace,” provides insight into the links between the support requirements of employees, their relationships with their managers, and their professional and personal development. 

According to the study, 90 percent of employees admit to performing better when their company supports their emotional wellness. Additionally, 94 percent of managers feel that the emotional wellness of their direct reports is just as important as their direct reports’ job performance.

"This is a very exciting time, when research in psychology and human development is proving what we already know," says Shane Metcalf, co-founder and Chief Culture Officer of 15Five via press release. “Employees are indeed human beings who are driven to grow, develop, and fulfill a greater purpose. They have complex internal worlds and when managers and leaders address the hidden aspects of their experience, like values, beliefs, mindsets, and emotional well-being, we will see a major leap forward in how people achieve their potential at work, and the levels of success that businesses achieve as a result."

One of the highlights of the study is the finding that Gen Z employees need more than just a paycheck and vacation time to perform at their best. Rather, they need a conscientious employer that fosters psychological well-being both in and out of the workplace. The study found that this class of workers (the youngest in the workforce) expects a synergy to exist between their work and personal lives. In fact, 75 percent of Gen Zers have asked for personal advice during a one-on-one meetings with their manager, while only 23 percent of baby boomers have done the same.

The study also found that employees who don’t have scheduled weekly meetings with their managers experience a lack of trust, communication, and overall mental well-being. When employees’ mental well-being suffers, the top words they use when thinking about work are “money,” “stress,” and “busy.” Meanwhile, employees who have at least weekly check-ins with their managers list “money” and “fun” as the top words they associate with work.

A number of businesses in the cleaning industry are currently dealing with retention and employee performance issues. Perhaps these companies should this study to come up with a plan for improvement.