Supervisor shortage threatens U.S. companies’ future: report
OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES — A new white paper from Express Employment Professionals, in partnership with The Harris Poll, reveals a deepening crisis in American workplaces: fewer employees want to step into supervisory roles, and those who do are burning out at alarming rates.
The report, “Strained, Stressed, and Stepping Away: The Supervisor Crisis and What Employers Must Do Now,” highlights a growing disconnect between what supervisors need and what employers actually provide.
As turnover rises and the pipeline of future leaders shrinks, the leadership vacuum is becoming a significant threat to business stability.
Key findings paint a troubling picture
- 55% of supervisors who left or plan to leave their roles cite a lack of fulfillment or advancement opportunities.
- 86% of hiring managers believe supervisors have the tools they need, yet only a third offer training on essential skills like conflict resolution or giving feedback.
- 72% of hiring managers admit their organizations should be doing more to support supervisors.
- Nearly three in four Gen Z professionals say they would rather develop individual expertise than manage people.
These findings suggest that many supervisors feel unsupported and unprepared, while younger workers are increasingly uninterested in management paths.
Both done online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals, the Job Insights survey was conducted from Nov. 11 to 26, 2024, among 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers, while the Job Seeker Report was written from Nov. 21 to Dec. 10, 2024, among 1,039 adults ages 18 and older.
The high cost of neglecting supervisors
The white paper outlines the consequences of failing to invest in supervisor development, including increased burnout, disengagement, lost revenue, and a weakened workplace culture.
“Supervisors are saying, ‘No more.’ Future leaders are saying, ‘No, thanks,'” said Bob Funk, Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International.
“The result? A vicious cycle that decreases effectiveness, breeds toxicity and weakens the workplace. The companies that come to terms with the situation and start implementing solutions will be the ones that succeed in this reshaped economy.”
Solutions for a stronger workforce
To address the crisis, the report recommends that companies build real-world leadership training programs, create peer and mentorship networks, invest in mental health, and work-life balance, and recognize leadership behaviors—not just outcomes.
