Nobody Wants to Be a Supervisor Anymore--Here's Why That Should Terrify Companies

Express Employment Professionals Partners with The Harris Poll to Reveal How Burnout, Poor Training and Culture Gaps Are Fueling a Leadership Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Employment Professionals announces the release of a new white paper, "Strained, Stressed, and Stepping Away: The Supervisor Crisis and What Employers Must Do Now," which explores the growing leadership vacuum in American workplaces and the high cost of failing to support frontline supervisors.

As companies face increasing turnover, rising workplace toxicity and a shrinking pipeline of future leaders, this new research, developed in partnership with The Harris Poll, reveals a troubling disconnect between what supervisors need and what employers provide.

Key findings include:

• 55% of supervisors who left or plan to leave their roles cite a lack of fulfillment or advancement.
• 86% of hiring managers believe supervisors have the tools they need, but only a third offer training on critical skills like conflict resolution or giving feedback.
• 72% of hiring managers admit their companies should be doing more to support supervisors.
• Nearly 3 in 4 Gen Z professionals say they'd rather develop individual expertise than manage people.

Drawing on exclusive survey data and insights from Express franchise owners across the U.S., the white paper outlines the consequences of neglecting supervisor development, ranging from burnout and disengagement to lost revenue and a weakened culture. It also offers a roadmap for companies to reverse the trend, including:

• Building real-world leadership training programs
• Creating peer and mentorship networks
• Investing in mental health and work-life balance
• Recognizing leadership behaviors—not just outcomes

"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."

Download the full white paper to learn how your organization can close the leadership gap and build a stronger, more resilient workforce: ExpressPros.com/SupervisorsUS.

Survey Methodology
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 11 to 26, 2024, among 1,001 U.S. hiring decision-makers.

The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 10, 2024, among 1,039 adults ages 18 and older.

For full survey methodologies, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR.

If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR.

About Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr.
Robert (Bob) Funk, Jr., is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. 

About Express Employment Professionals
At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.

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