CEOs say they struggle with consistently exhibiting empathy in the workplace. Employees agree, saying that their peers typically are more empathetic than their CEO. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Employers are starting to get it: showing empathy toward their workers increases morale, engagement and productivity. But in the eyes of workers, there's still a gap between what their employers say and what they actually do, according to Businessolver's State of Workplace Empathy Study.

Indeed, 92 percent of CEOs say their organization is empathetic, but only 72 percent of employees say they work for an empathetic employer — down 6 percent from previous years, according to the fourth annual survey of how employees, HR professionals, and CEOs perceive empathy in U.S. employers.

“CEOs are not only understanding the importance of empathy but are calling for change — essentially catching up to what employees have been saying for the past few years,” the authors write. “However, despite this improved awareness, crucial gaps persist between employees and leadership when it comes to how to exhibit workplace empathy.”

It could be that many leaders just don't know how to best show that they care about their workers. More than half (58 percent) of CEOs responding to the survey say they struggle with consistently exhibiting empathy in the workplace. Employees agree, saying that their peers typically are more empathetic than their CEO.

“Although our research shows that certain behaviors, benefits, and programs are the best ways to exhibit empathy to employees, CEOs are struggling to understand the connection between these actions and how they can improve their workplace,” the authors write. “The disconnect between CEOs and a clear path towards empathetic behavior could be detrimental to morale and business performance.”

One concrete way that CEOs can demonstrate empathy in the eyes of workers is permitting more time off for “mental health days” to rejuvenate from stress and burnout from both workplace issues and outside stressors such as caring for an elderly parent, supported by 90 percent of workers responding to the annual survey for the last two years.

Another empathetic benefit is allowing for flexible work hours, say 92 percent of workers.

Promoting more diversity and inclusion are also important: 85 percent of workers say that empathy results from leadership implementing strategies to increase diversity and inclusion, and three-quarters of employees says that companies are more empathetic when they have diversity in their leadership.

“Whether through retaining loyal employees or increasing productivity, empathy is the key ingredient to fostering a positive workplace environment,” the authors write. “The value of empathy is clear — how will you take up this mandate and translate words into actions?” READ MORE:

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