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New research about employee relationship management from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including how to improve employee engagement and job satisfaction, motivational techniques, and HR strategies.
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Desperate for Talent? Consider Advancing Your Own Employees First

by Rachel Layne

What would it take to build the skills your company needs in your current workforce? Joseph Fuller and Manjari Raman offer a new playbook for a historic talent crunch with no end in sight.

What Does Your Business Stand For? Why Building Trust Starts with Purpose

by Ranjay Gulati

Trust is fragile and must be nurtured. By tapping into their purpose, leaders can help their organizations embody the values and principles they espouse, says Ranjay Gulati in his book Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Companies. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.

Rituals at Work: Teams That Play Together Stay Together

by Kristen Senz

Rituals—even seemingly silly ones—help employees bond and add meaning to their work, says research by Michael Norton, Francesca Gino, and colleagues. After two years of pandemic disruption, who wouldn't welcome a workday pick-me-up? Open for comment; 0 Comments.

3 Steps to Help Companies Rebuild Trust During the Pandemic

by Sandra J. Sucher and Shalene Gupta

Many workers feel battered and distrustful after almost two years of COVID-19 instability. But it's not too late for managers—even those who made damaging missteps—to repair these relationships, say Sandra Sucher and Shalene Gupta. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Feeling Seen: What to Say When Your Employees Are Not OK

by Pamela Reynolds

Pandemic life continues to take its toll. Managers who let down their guard and acknowledge their employees' emotions can ease distress and build trust, says research by Julian Zlatev and colleagues. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Simple Secret of Effective Mentoring Programs

by Jay Fitzgerald

The employees who need guidance most rarely seek it out. New research by Christopher Stanton sheds light on what companies stand to gain from mentorship programs that include everyone. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Growth Engine Too Many Companies Overlook: Employees

by Michael Blanding

Companies trying to innovate or acquire their way to growth should consider another strategy: economic engagement. Dennis Campbell says five steps can help organizations cultivate an ownership mindset among employees. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Can We Train for Trust?

by James Heskett

A culture of trust can improve employee—and company—performance. But can leaders be trained to foster trust among those they lead? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Don't Ignore Your Employees' Misery—TAKE Control

by Hise O. Gibson and MaShon Wilson

Many workers are unhappy with their companies' return-to-work policies. Rather than risk losing productive people, managers should confront employee dissatisfaction head on, says Hise O. Gibson. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Managers, Here’s How to Bond with New Hires Remotely

by Lane Lambert

Worried about engaging interns and new employees in a hybrid world? Research by Iavor I. Bojinov and Prithwiraj Choudhury shows how "virtual watercooler" sessions can make all the difference. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Worried About the Great Resignation? Be a Good Company to Come From

by Sandra J. Sucher and Shalene Gupta

Some employees are just ready to move on. Rather than wave perks and bonuses at them, companies should focus on becoming great places to learn—and eventually leave, say Sandra J. Sucher and Shalene Gupta. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Should Non-Compete Clauses Be Abolished?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP: Non-compete clauses need to be rewritten, especially when they are applied to lower-income workers, respond James Heskett's readers. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Rituals Strengthen Couples. Here’s Why They’re Good for Business, Too

by Dina Gerdeman

Couples with deliberate rituals feel more satisfied with their relationships, says research by Michael I. Norton and Ximena Garcia-Rada. Can businesses benefit? Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Forget Cash. Here Are Better Ways to Motivate Employees

by Dina Gerdeman

In today's tight job market, employers must focus on how to attract and keep top talent. Giving away stacks of money may not always be the best incentive, warns Ashley Whillans. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Women Receive Harsher Punishment at Work Than Men

by Michael Blanding

Women caught in misconduct were 20 percent more likely to be fired and 30 percent less likely to find new employment in the financial services industry, reports new research by Mark Egan and colleagues. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Salary Taboo: Privacy Norms and the Diffusion of Information

by Zoë B. Cullen and Ricardo Perez-Truglia

Barriers to the diffusion of salary information have implications for a wide range of labor market phenomena. This study of employees of a real organization shows that individuals significantly misinterpret their peers’ salaries, partly due to pervasive preferences for concealing own salary, and a potentially strategic decision of high earners to withhold their personal information.

Make Your Employees Feel Psychologically Safe

by Martha Lagace

To do their best work, people need to feel secure and safe in their workplace. In a new book, Amy C. Edmondson details how companies can develop psychological safety. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Kids of Working Moms Grow into Happy Adults

by Dina Gerdeman

In earlier research, Kathleen McGinn and colleagues discovered that adult kids of working moms are high achievers at work. Now it turns out they are happy, too. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

How to Monetize Happiness

Re: Ethan S. Bernstein

Is there a business model around happiness? Hitachi believes that a happy employee is a productive one, and is investing in "happiness sensors" to prove the connection. Ethan Bernstein explains why in this podcast. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Summing Up: Why Can’t Organizations Engage Their Employees?

by James Heskett

Who is responsible for generating employee engagement? The employee, or the employee's managers? Readers of this month's James Heskett column have a lot to say on the issue. Open for comment; 0 Comments.