Why psychological safety matters in a changing workplace, with Dennis Stolle, PhD
Jul 17, 2024
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Dennis Stolle, PhD discusses workplace challenges, psychological safety for young workers, remote work impact on job satisfaction, rising popularity of four-day work weeks, and importance of fostering psychological safety in the workplace for improved well-being and organizational success.
Younger workers feel undervalued at work, needing more support from colleagues.
Positive sentiments towards jobs, high pride, and satisfaction with work schedules.
Importance of fostering psychological safety for employee satisfaction and organizational outcomes.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced by Younger Workers
Younger workers are experiencing challenges in the workplace, feeling stressed, lonely, and undervalued compared to older workers. The survey highlighted that almost half of workers aged 18 to 25 believe their co-workers don't see the value in their ideas, indicating a lack of support from colleagues. Psychological safety was discussed as a crucial factor, where younger workers may be more comfortable working within their age group due to developing a sense of safety, hindering collaboration across different age groups.
Satisfaction Levels and Workplace Location Preferences
The survey indicated positive sentiments among workers towards their jobs, with high levels of pride in their work and satisfaction with their impact on society. Employees expressed satisfaction with their work schedules. Regarding work locations, a shift towards remote and hybrid work was observed, with preferences almost evenly split between in-person, hybrid, and remote work. Notably, a significant portion of workers reported not currently working in their desired location.
Trends in Four-Day Work Weeks and AI Usage
An increasing number of employers are offering four-day work weeks, with a notable rise in the percentage of workers benefiting from this arrangement. Employees expressed a belief that they could maintain productivity while working four days a week and would be happier with this schedule. Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), younger workers are more likely to use AI tools; however, concerns about potential job displacement exist in this group. The survey highlighted a lack of employer policies addressing AI usage in the workplace, indicating a need for increased preparedness.
Challenges Faced by Workers with Disabilities
Workers with physical and mental disabilities reported facing more challenges at work and lower job satisfaction compared to their non-disabled counterparts. The survey revealed concerns about toxic workplace experiences, salary disparities, and potential AI-related job impacts. Access to workplace resources was emphasized as crucial for improving their job satisfaction and productivity. The data underscored the need for organizations to address these disparities and provide support for employees with disabilities.
Importance of Psychological Safety in the Workplace
A key finding from the survey highlighted the importance of fostering psychological safety in the workplace. Psychological safety contributes to employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. Cultivating an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas without fear of reprisal is crucial for creating a supportive workplace culture. Employers are encouraged to prioritize psychological safety initiatives to enhance employee experiences and organizational outcomes.
APA’s 2024 Work in America survey found that younger workers are more likely than older workers to feel stressed, lonely and undervalued at work. Dennis Stolle, PhD, senior director of APA’s office of applied psychology, talks about why that might be and how employers can create workplaces where all ages can thrive; as well as other key findings from the survey including the state of remote work, hybrid work and four-day work weeks.
