The Difference Between Breach and Betrayal in the Workplace

In the workplace, the difference between breach and betrayal can be understood through the concept of the psychological contract. This contract consists of three types: the economic contract, which involves doing the job in exchange for payment; the relational contract, where employees invest in the organization as a community and expect to be treated like family; and the cause contract, which involves giving exceptional effort in order to make a difference. A breach occurs when expectations are not met, often by the employer, while betrayal goes further by voiding or violating the contract and denying the existence of any meaningful commitment. Breach refers to unmet expectations, while betrayal involves a complete denial of the contract.