Glossary of Human Resources Management and Employee Benefit Terms
The behavior of a micromanager typically includes:
Micromanaging can sometimes exhibit traits of bullying, especially if the behavior is accompanied by coercion, intimidation, or a disregard for the well-being of the employee. However, not all instances of micromanagement necessarily constitute bullying. It depends on the specific context and intent behind the manager's actions.
Micromanagement is a management style characterized by excessive control, close supervision, and involvement in the minutiae of tasks and processes. It involves a manager closely overseeing and directing every aspect of their subordinates' work, often to the point of diminishing their autonomy and creativity.
Micromanagement is generally considered detrimental to both individuals and organizations due to its negative impact on employee morale, productivity, and overall work culture. However, occasional involvement and guidance from managers can be beneficial if it's done in a constructive and supportive manner.
Micromanagement itself is not considered harassment unless it involves behaviors that meet the legal definition of harassment, such as discrimination, intimidation, or creating a hostile work environment. However, persistent and extreme micromanagement may contribute to a stressful work environment that could potentially be considered harassment.
Micromanagement itself is not illegal, but certain behaviors associated with micromanagement, such as discrimination, harassment, or violating labor laws, can be illegal. It's essential for managers to ensure their management style and actions comply with relevant employment laws and regulations.
The behavior of a micromanager typically includes:
People may micromanage due to various reasons such as:
Micromanaging can be detrimental for several reasons:
Signs that you're being micromanaged include:
To avoid micromanaging:
These are short surveys that can be sent frequently to check what your employees think about an issue quickly. The survey comprises fewer questions (not more than 10) to get the information quickly. These can be administered at regular intervals (monthly/weekly/quarterly).
Having periodic, hour-long meetings for an informal chat with every team member is an excellent way to get a true sense of what’s happening with them. Since it is a safe and private conversation, it helps you get better details about an issue.
eNPS (employee Net Promoter score) is one of the simplest yet effective ways to assess your employee's opinion of your company. It includes one intriguing question that gauges loyalty. An example of eNPS questions include: How likely are you to recommend our company to others? Employees respond to the eNPS survey on a scale of 1-10, where 10 denotes they are ‘highly likely’ to recommend the company and 1 signifies they are ‘highly unlikely’ to recommend it.
To avoid micromanaging: