New Employees Experience Decline in Psychological Safety After First Year: Solutions Revealed
Summary:
A study by Harvard Business School explores why new hires often feel less psychologically safe after their first year in a new job. The research highlights the importance of organizational culture, management practices, and ongoing support in maintaining employee well-being. Strategies for improving psychological safety include regular feedback, inclusive team practices, and leadership training.Key Insights:
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Initial Psychological Safety: New hires typically experience a strong sense of psychological safety in their first year, feeling supported and secure in their roles.
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Decline in Safety: After the first year, many employees report a significant decline in psychological safety, which can negatively impact their performance and engagement.
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Root Causes: The decline is often due to increased job demands, changes in team dynamics, and lack of ongoing support and feedback.
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Strategies for Improvement: Organizations can implement continuous onboarding processes, foster open communication, and provide regular feedback to maintain psychological safety.
Takeaways:
To ensure long-term psychological safety for employees, companies must go beyond initial onboarding efforts and continuously support their workforce through open communication, regular feedback, and a culture of inclusivity.