New research suggests that the current economic uncertainty within business could be compounded by a growing mistrust of senior managers.
HR consultancy BlessingWhite found that while almost three quarters of workers trust their immediate managers, less than half feel the same way about their organisation's senior management team.
Worryingly, the survey also found that 51% of middle managers definitely plan to leave their current roles at some point this year, or are wavering. In addition, nearly a third of middle managers don't trust their senior management team.
Tom Barry, European managing director at BlessingWhite, said: "Our research has revealed that many senior managers appear to be issuing strategies from an ivory tower. Their direction can't filter through middle managers that don't trust them."
On a more positive note, the research also showed that the so-called 'Generation-Y' workers (those born between 1977 and 1990) are more trusting of senior management, with 59% reporting they trusted their organisation's senior team.