How a Supervisor's Work Ethics Affects Employees' Work Habits

Since example is the most effective form of leadership, a supervisor's work ethics will be passed on to his employees. An employer with a strong work ethic can inspire employees. Alternately, an employer with poor work ethic and habits can find himself supervising ineffective workers. If an employer finds himself in the latter situation, he should examine how his behavior is influencing his subordinates.

Productivity

The most salient way a supervisor's work ethic influences employees is evidenced by productivity. A supervisor who shows up early and stays late will inspire employees to do the same. He possess the ability to accomplish any task he assigns to others. If he maintains professionalism at all times, his subordinates will likely follow suit. With a manager setting an example that a strong work ethic coincides with career advancement, employees will make a conscious or even unconscious effort to mirror his ethics. If, however, he shows an indifferent and inefficient work ethic, his employees may see that as an example that hard work is not necessarily required to advance.

Morale

A supervisor with strong work ethics promotes morale among her staff. She will energize and inspire the people she supervises. If she enjoys her work while performing at a high level, the staff probably will as well. If she is apathetic toward her job functions and the needs of her staff, it can lead to low morale, discontent, excessive turnover and poor productivity.

Attendance

A supervisor with strong work ethics will set the bar with his attendance. He will show up before most of the staff arrives. He will not leave his staff working while he leaves early. Employees observe and absorb this behavior. If the boss is staying late, the employee may not stay as late, but he will remain for a period after closing. Whether this is an attempt to curry favor with the boss by mirroring his habits or a legitimate inspiration to better individual performance is irrelevant. The supervisor's work ethics have directly influenced the employee's work habits.

Relationships

Employees build professional relationships with different personalities who exhibit different work ethics. An employee will be drawn to a supervisor with similar work ethics. A supervisor with strong work ethics will build good professional relationships with like employees. Conversely, a supervisor with poor ethics will attract similarly deficient subordinates. In the latter situation, productivity and morale will likely suffer, attracting the attention of those who manage the supervisor and possibly leading to disciplinary actions against the supervisor and her employees.

References

• Roberts Wesleyan College; The High Cost of Low Morale: How to Address Low Morale in the Workplace through Servant Leadership; Nicole Fink
• "Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics": Workplace Abuse: Roles of the Supervisor and the Supervisee
• Unique People Training Development: Employee Performance Issues Often Related to Supervisor's Influence