Benefits of positive work relationships

Work relationships play a key role in promoting employee flourishing as researchers from the USA revealed in a series of qualitative and quantitative studies. The authors studied positive work relationships, which serve a broad range of functions: task assistance (e.g. receiving help with a certain task), career advancement (e.g. being promoted), emotional support, personal growth, friendship, and the opportunity to give to others. Results revealed unique associations between different relationship functions and their outcomes: Task assistance was most strongly associated with meaningful work, personal growth was most strongly associated with life satisfaction, giving to others with meaningful work, and friendship with positive emotions at work.

Colbert, A., Bono, J., & Purvanova, R. (2015). Flourishing via workplace relationships: Moving beyond instrumental support. Academy of Management Journal, 59(4), 1199-1223.

Retaining an employee requires more than just organizational support for development

Organizations should provide their employees career opportunities if they wish to retain them, according to a US study. The findings show that developmental support reduces voluntary turnover only when perceived career opportunities within the organization are high. Organizations should thus include a variety of development and career planning practices (i.e., job rotations, training, and career mentoring) into their HR system

Journal of Applied Psychology