Line Manager
The person with direct responsibility for managing an individual or team's daily work.
A line manager is the individual directly responsible for overseeing an employee's work, performance and development. They sit in the direct reporting line, hence the name, and are often an employee's most important connection to the wider organisation.
Line managers carry a heavy share of the people-management load: setting objectives, giving feedback, approving leave, handling early-stage grievance and disciplinary matters, and supporting wellbeing. Research consistently shows the manager relationship strongly influences engagement and retention.
Because so much devolves to them, equipping line managers matters. Manager self-service tools, clear policies and training help them handle responsibilities consistently and fairly, reducing the burden on central HR while improving the employee experience.
