The Importance of Weekly Check-Ins for Employee Experience: Only 21% of Employees Meet with Managers Regularly !

💡 Regular check-ins between managers and employees are vital for a positive employee experience, yet they often lack both frequency and quality.

❗️ Managers are 1.5 times more likely to feel confident in conducting productive, supportive check-ins if they have regular 1:1 meetings with their own managers.

📈 The frequency and quality of check-ins are closely linked, with higher quality check-ins occurring more often.

➡️ Having the right tools in place ensures the proper frequency and quality of check-ins.

🚀 Organizations utilizing a 1:1 tool are ten times more likely to hold weekly meetings and those with a recognition program are up to 2x more likely to meet at least weekly than those who don’t, according to a new interesting research published by Workhuman using data 📊 from a internal survey called Workhuman® iQ survey.

✅Decline in Check-Ins: Fewer Meetings in 2024 Compared to 2023

Researchers observed a significant decline in the frequency of weekly 1:1 check-ins this year, with only 21% of respondents meeting with their managers at least weekly, compared to 49% in 2023.

Additionally, more employees now report that these check-ins are “sometimes,” “rarely,” or “never” time well spent, rather than “always” or “often.”

✅Connecting Employee Experience and Psychological Safety

Researchers discovered a strong link between the frequency and quality of check-ins, noting that the more often these meetings occur, the higher their quality tends to be.

📈 Employees who have regular check-ins are more likely to feel that their managers are genuinely engaged, providing personal support, and offering guidance for growth and advancement.

📣 Moreover, employees who frequently meet with their managers are three times more likely to experience high psychological safety compared to those who rarely or never have such discussions.

✅Frequent Manager Check-Ins Boost Career Opportunities

Researchers have found that employees who regularly meet with their managers are more likely to perceive clear growth opportunities within the organization and feel supported in their professional development.

Additionally, senior leaders are more likely to report that their managers prioritize growth and advancement, problem-solving, and goal setting.

👉 80% of employees who said they received meaningful feedback in the past week were fully engaged, regardless of how many days they worked in the office.

✅Streamlined Check-In Tool Enhances Consistency and Quality of Meetings

Researchers have discovered that a simplified Check-In tool significantly improves the frequency and quality of check-ins.

Furthermore, those who employ a digital tool for scheduled 1:1s, goal setting, and prioritization are ten times more likely to meet at least once a week compared to those who do not.

📍 Finally, researcher Steven Rogelberg highlights key areas where organizations should concentrate their efforts when training managers to conduct effective 1:1 :

✔️ They are held weekly or biweekly, at least.

✔️ The meeting has some structure, but isn’t rigid. 

✔️ They focus on the employee’s needs, progress, and concerns (not the manager’s). 

✔️ The manager demonstrates good listening, asks good questions, and does what they say they will do as follow-up

💥 As mentioned by researchers, these meetings and moments of human connection are uniquely suited to inspire expressions of gratitude and appreciation throughout an organization.

☝️ 𝙈𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬: This remarkable research by Workhuman team - who have been studying recognition data for years - has uncovered intriguing patterns about the importance of check-ins between managers and employees. This year’s trend clearly shows that employees who lack consistent and effective check-ins often feel disconnected and unsupported. Check-ins are essential for employees at every career stage, significantly influencing better business outcomes. It’s time to revive this practice, as the researchers’ four recommendations are right on target.

🙏Thank you Workhuman researchers team for sharing these insightful findings:

Eric Mosley KeyAnna Schmiedl Niamh Graham

Dave Ulrich

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