How Employee Voice Helps Community Engagement

Description

Employees who feel empowered to share information and ideas with their managers are likely to be more engaged and motivated employees. Conversely, when employees feel they cannot speak up about issues or offer ideas or suggestions, there can be negative consequences -- for employees, their companies and society in general. This article explores the main triggers of employee silence, the effects on employees' attitudes and behavior when they perceive that it is not "safe" to speak up, and the possible results for communities. The authors consider how to increase employee voice opportunities, in order to foster more trusting and collaborative work environments in which people feel fully motivated, empowered and engaged.