How Employee Voice Helps Community Engagement

Costs of Silence at Work

employees that don't feel safe speaking up experience stress, anxiety, lack of motivation on job

loss of valuable information for a company

silence can become a collective choice instead of individual

Roots of Silence

fear

futility

manager might react negatively, employees want to protect standing in the eyes of their boss, fear of being fired

not having a solution

mum's the word

NOKIA example...WOW

employees feel that speaking out will not bring change or impact on the organization, leads to withdrawal

discomfort that comes with bad news, employees might want to spare bosses feelings or embarrassment

"don't bring me a problem, bring me a solution"

dread of being labeled

fear of being labeled negatively (troublemaker)

innovation and collaboration are stifled, productivity diminshes

if beliefs at odds with organization, you start to dissociate yourself or you change your view of yourself

Cost for Society

workplace practices have impact on employees' lives outside of work -"spillover effect"

employees with no voice at work feel they have no voice outside of work - "learned helplessness"

extreme stress leads to life dissatisfaction, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and limited community/civic engagement

Effects on Community Engagement

when employees have opportunity for self-directioni they are more likely to volunteer--they've acquired skills for effective participation

Steps to Avoid Negative Outcomes

Managers must convice employees they really want to hear their opinions

must create workplace where people feel it's safe to speak

label as "courageous" instead of a "troublemaker"

Benefit Corporation "B-Corp"