Workers at all levels see mentorships as a valuable perk, but companies aren’t delivering.
As your organization deals with constant change and a range of workplace and industry challenges, coaches and mentors are more important than ever for employees at all levels. Nonetheless, while employees in a recent survey said that mentorships are valuable, few actually have a mentor.
While over half of 3,000 respondents (56%) said they have had a mentor in the past, only 37% said they still have such a professional relationship. Interestingly, 9% said that they aren’t sure if they have a mentor or not, as the relationship is unclear.
Among other findings:
· While 57% of those who have mentors are junior-level staff, the survey suggested that these relationships aren’t just for the less experienced. About one-third (35%) of respondents self-identified as mid-level managers, and 8% are senior-level.
· The industries identified as having the greatest presence of mentors were science at 66%, government at 59%, education at 57%, and marketing/advertising/public relationship at 56%. Healthcare rated 10th at 43%.
· Nearly two-thirds (61%) of respondents said the mentor-mentee relationship developed naturally. Only 25% said the mentor offered to serve in that role, and 14% said they asked the mentor to work with them. The majority (59%) of respondents said that the relationship is “casual and loose,” while 41% said they work towards formal goals.
· While respondents indicated that their mentor-mentee relationship has lasted about three years, they suggested that the mentorship isn’t especially time consuming. They said they talk with their mentor about four hours every month and have infrequent in-person meetings.
· About one-third (29%) of respondents said their mentor relationship is “very important,” while 47% said it’s “important.” Just 18% said they are “neutral” about the relationship, and 6% said it’s “not very important.”
Not only are mentorships a desired employee perk, these initiatives can improve your organization’s ability to attract and retain good performers. In addition to providing learning opportunities, they can encourage bonding and teamwork.
