Explain the responsibilities of a supervisor in a company.

The term supervisor is generally used to refer to the managers at the lowest level in the organization, who directly supervise non-managerial employees of the company.

As managers, the supervisors perform the same type of work as any other manager in the company. This includes the four basic functions of planning, organizing, leading and and control. However their work requires less of planning and organizing responsibilities as compared to leading and control activities. Among others their responsibilities include the following.

• Physically supervise the operational work carried out by employees reporting to them.


• Directly instruct employees under them on work to be carried out by them and the methods to be adopted.


• Ensure supply of material, equipment, and other inputs required by them for doing their work.


• Provide guidance and on the job training required by workmen the course of their work.


• Maintain order an discipline in the workplace.


• Resolve any disputes or other problems on the workplace. In case these require intervention of managers at higher level, inform and brief them appropriately.


• Act as a channel of communication between higher management and the workmen. This involves explaining management policies and other directive to the workmen, and conveying their feelings, and requirement to higher managements.


• Recommend disciplinary action for employees breaking discipline and not responding to warnings and advise of supervisors.