Study: Employees prefer to conference on Mondays (from 5-10 a.m.) and about 6 times a month

The good news about the work-for-home model: Both employees and employers seem to feel it’s working.

A recent survey of more than 1,000 professionals (both employees and managers) said their employee-manager relationship has stayed the same or gotten better. And, while 38% of employees felt their manager checked in too much, 16% said they felt their manager was micromanaging less than before.

The Paychex survey — which included approximately 700 employees and 300 managers — produced a number of interesting results. Here are some:

Employee results

Describe relationship between employee and manager?

• Stayed the same: 48%
• Better: 32%
• Worse: 20%

Note: Approximately half of the employees said they felt socially isolated — and approximately one-third said they went out of their way to get noticed.

Compare the time spent communicating with your manager?

• More: 27%
• Less: 33%
• Same: 40%

Note: Approximately two of every three employees felt they were getting honest feedback from their manager and that their manager was a good communicator.

How often do you meet with your manager (monthly)?

• Before: 10
• Now: 6
• Ideal: 7

What is the deal day/time to meet with your manager?

Day

• Monday: 34%
• Wednesday: 26%
• Tuesday: 17%
• Friday: 14%
• Thursday: 9%

Time

• 5-10 a.m.: 44%
• 10 a.m.-noon: 26%
• Noon-3:30 p.m.: 21%
• 3:30 p.m.-later: 9%

Note: No surprise, but Monday morning at 10 a.m. is considered the best time to meet.

Manager results

Describe your relationship with your employees?

• Same: 32%
• Better: 14%
• Worse: 54%

Note: Great majority of managers (83%) said they have more trust in employees they communicate with frequently.

How much of a priority is connectedness?

• Top priority: 40%
• Low priority: 17%
• Neither high nor low: 43%