Employees’ Perceptions of Supervisors’ Listening Skills and Their Work-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

This study investigated how employees’ perceptions of their supervisors’ listening skills are associated with employees’ work-related quality of life. The study used a nationally representative sample of the employed Icelandic population (N = 453). Participants completed the Active-Empathic Listening (AEL) scale and Work-Related Quality of Life scale. Results showed that employees who rated supervisors to be higher on the AEL scale reported a higher general well-being score. More specifically, employees who perceived supervisors to have higher AEL rated their working conditions and control at work higher, reported being happier with their career and home-work interface, were generally more content with their life, and showed lower levels of stress compared to employees who perceived supervisors to have lower AEL.