Supervision

Supervision has two meanings. As an element of directing, it means guiding employees' efforts and overseeing their work. As a job, it is done by the supervisor (or foreman), a manager at the operative level, placed immediately above the workers.

The supervisor is where management meets the worker. His roles:

• He keeps friendly, day-to-day contact with workers, acting as their guide, friend and philosopher.
• He is a link between workers and management: he passes management's ideas to the workers, and the workers' problems up to management. This prevents misunderstanding and conflict.
• He keeps the group united, sorting out differences among workers.
• He makes sure the work is done to target.
• He gives on-the-job training to workers.
• His leadership builds workers' morale.
• He analyses the work done and gives feedback to workers.