Retaining employees in today’s competitive market is key to running a successful business. And for company leaders, prioritizing psychological safety at work for your employees is a big component of ensuring long-term retention.
In this guide, we’ll discuss what psychological safety is, how it affects employee retention, and key tips for prioritizing and improving the psychological safety of your team.
When you think of safety in the workplace, you might envision OSHA guidelines and other physical concerns. However, an increasingly important topic surrounding safety in the workplace is that of employee psychological safety.
Psychological safety in the workplace refers to the idea that employees feel comfortable and secure when voicing ideas, asking leaders questions, or raising concerns. In a psychologically safe environment, employees do not worry about retribution or a negative impact for stepping outside of the norm.
With a psychologically safe workplace, employees are willing to brainstorm, share new ideas, and take risks. They feel comfortable bringing their whole self to work, without fear of discrimination.
Emotional safety at work is critical to employee retention. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to be engaged with their company and invested in the future of the business. They feel open to offering their creativity and personal talents.
Psychologically safe work environments also foster healthy team dynamics. In these work settings, employees connect with colleagues on a deeper level and feel supported by their management.
The whole organization benefits from psychological safety in the workplace. According to Harvard Business School researchers, when employees experience psychological safety at work, it drives increased innovation, improves higher-quality decision making, and helps businesses retain their top talent.
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It is easy to see why promoting psychological safety at work is critical to the long-term success of your team. However, creating an environment where everyone feels safe won’t happen on its own. As a company leader, you have to consciously work toward creating psychological safety in the workplace. Use the following tips to create an inclusive, safe workplace for all:
If you want to learn more about how you can create a company culture that leads to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates, check out our Employer Resource Center.