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Many Employees Left in the Dark About Growth Prospects at Work

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Professionals Want to Discuss Their Career Path, but Often Don't Get the Chance

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2015 /CNW/ - A new survey shows employees want more feedback on their future from the boss. In research from Robert Half Finance & Accounting, nearly one in three (28 per cent) professionals said their managers never discuss their career paths with them. The data also suggests professionals are hungry for this information: 41 per cent said they would like to discuss their career paths at least quarterly; another 45 per cent want to review their options annually.

Finance and accounting professionals were asked, "How often would you like your manager to discuss your career path with you?" and "How often does your manager discuss your career path with you?" Their responses:


How Often
Respondents
Would Like to
Discuss

How Often
Manager
Discusses

Never

6%

28%

Annually

45%

55%

Quarterly

41%

12%

Monthly

8%

4%

Weekly

1%

1%


101%*

100%

*Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.

"Managers who engage their employees in regular career conversations demonstrate a vested interest in their staff's growth, underscoring their commitment to retention and professional development," said Greg Scileppi, president of Robert Half, International Staffing Operations. "These essential discussions provide supervisors the chance to not only boost employee morale, but also to gain valuable feedback about the business and improve internal operations through ongoing staff insight."

Robert Half Finance & Accounting offers three tips for managers on conducting career path discussions:

  1. Ask employees about their objectives. Never assume you know where team members want to take their careers – not everyone wants to follow a linear path to the top. If you don't know where staff members want to go, you can't help them get there.
  2. Be up front about expectations. Educate your employees about the experience or skills needed to reach their goals, and then lay out a specific plan – including leadership development, mentoring and training opportunities – to help them achieve success.
  3. Don't wait for the annual performance review. Set periodic check-ins with your employees to discuss their progress or where they need to make improvements to move up within your organization.

Survey Methodology 
The online survey was developed and conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting. It includes responses from more than 370 finance and accounting professionals in Canada.

About Robert Half Finance & Accounting 
Founded in 1948, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, a division of Robert Half, is the world's first and largest specialized financial recruitment service. The company has more than 340 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at roberthalffinance.ca. For finance and accounting career and management advice, follow our blog at blog.roberthalffinance.com. Follow @RobertHalf_CAN on Twitter for additional workplace advice and hiring trends.

SOURCE Robert Half Finance & Accounting

Image with caption: "Employees are left in the dark about career prospects at work: professionals want to discuss their career path but don't often get the chance (CNW Group/Robert Half Finance & Accounting)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151022_C7110_PHOTO_EN_527023.jpg

For further information: Naz Araghian, 416.865.2140, naz.araghian@roberthalf.com