Why empathy at work matters

When an employer shows empathy – treating employees as human beings with feelings and not just workers – it can make a significant difference in the workplace, studies show. How much of a difference? A 2018 State of Workplace Empathy Study by Businessolver found that 96 percent of employees surveyed believed it was important for their employers to demonstrate empathy. On the other hand, 92 percent thought empathy remains undervalued.

Also, eight of 10 employees, HR professionals and CEOs agreed that an empathetic workplace has a positive impact on business performance, motivating workers and increasing productivity.

Empathy might also matter in terms of retention at a small company. The lure of a little more money offered at a bigger company might be countered by an employee’s comfort of knowing their boss is more caring and understanding. Bottom line, it’s vital that business leaders show they care about their employees – especially when a life event, such as a family tragedy or a personal challenge, happens to the worker, says Kerry Alison Wekelo, a human resources expert and author of Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture.

“We often don’t know what another person might be going through,” says Wekelo. “Unfortunately, part of life is crisis, challenge and the loss of loved ones. With a focus on people first and practicing empathy, it means so much to the employee both in the immediate and in the long-term. They’ll want to work there because they feel truly cared about.”

 

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