A Tool for Self-Assessment

While there are many factors that contribute to an environment that is fertile for union organizing, one of the most potent is a disliked supervisor. Day in and day out, the supervisor is the face of the company. Some workers will spend more time with their supervisor on a workday basis than they will with their own spouse or children. Supervisors can have a tremendous impact on workers, both good and bad. Poor relationships with a supervisor, therefore, can lead workers to seek relief elsewhere—through the perceived protection of a union representative, for example. To avoid this undesirable outcome, supervisors should take the time to assess their own practices and identify areas needing improvement.