Two large online surveys were conducted among employees in Germany to explore the importance employees and organizations place
on aspects of interpersonal respect in relation to other work values. The first study (
n = 589) extracted a general ranking of work values, showing that employees rate issues of respect involving supervisors particularly
high. The second study (
n = 318) replicated the previous value ranking. Additionally, it is shown that the value priorities indicated by employees
do not always match their perceptions of actual organizational practices. Particularly, interpersonal respect issues that
involve employees’ supervisors diverge strongly negative. Consequences and potentials for change in organizations are discussed.
Keywords values - leadership - organizational culture - organizational practices - interpersonal respect