Culture shock: Transform your workplace into a haven of wellbeing!

Chayanika Sen -

An employee can thrive only when the workplace environment is safe and comfortable for everyone. A positive work environment sees less absenteeism and attrition. It also positively impacts the productivity of the employees and can significantly raise your net promoter score. But creating such an environment can be tricky. You need to navigate many challenges and hurdles to transform your workplace culture. 

This guide has some practical tips for building a safe workplace environment that your employees will love. But before that, let's understand what a safe workplace environment is.

What is a positive work environment?

A positive work environment is a psychologically safe workplace where the employees feel mentally and physically secure. Some of the typical characteristics of a psychologically safe workplace are:

  • Open and transparent communication between colleagues
  • Constant encouragement and motivation from the leadership 
  • High level of trust and support between employees and their supervisors
  • Clear learning and growth path for the employees

Source: AI-Generated

Effect of a toxic work environment

The opposite of a safe workplace is a hostile and toxic environment that makes employees feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. Some of the characteristics of a toxic workplace culture are:

  • Lack of transparent communications
  • A lot of negativity among colleagues
  • Bullying is not uncommon
  • Distrust

Source: AI-generated 

A toxic work environment not only negatively impacts the mental health of the employees but also profoundly impacts the company's brand reputation. If left unaddressed, it can also affect the customers and, eventually, the company's revenue.

Hence, every employer must aim to build a sustainable workplace and should focus on having a healthy work environment.

Strategies to create a safe workplace environment 

Here are some practical tips to transform your workplace into a safe haven. 

Create a platform for open communication

Apart from having a two-way communication policy, it is important to gather feedback from the employees. Create platforms where employees can voice their opinions — this could be in the form of surveys, HR chatbots, or polls. Instead of having an annual survey, devise a mechanism for instant feedback so that you can address any concerns right away. 

However, gathering feedback is not enough unless you take action. To acknowledge that employees' voices matter to you, create action plans based on the feedback collected. When employees see that their opinions matter, they will feel valued and remain fully engaged in their workplace. 

Create a psychological haven

A psychological haven is a workplace where employees feel comfortable being themselves. This environment allows employees to thrive. Build an inclusive work culture where everyone is welcome and employees can freely share their ideas without fear of rejection. 

Data shows that employees at a psychologically safe workplace are 260% more motivated to work, have lower absenteeism, and are less likely to switch jobs. 

Employers can build psychological safety through a strong foundation of trust, empathy, transparency in communication, and regular check-ins. 

Regular training and workshop sessions can be held for managers to practice leading with empathy, understand early signs of mental health issues, and how to offer help when an employee comes with any mental health issues. 

Emphasize collaboration and teamwork

Sustainable teams believe in collaboration and teamwork. When great minds work together, new ideas and innovations are brought to the table. This sparks new conversations and opens up new opportunities. The foundation of forming collaborating teams develops from the sense of belonging. Data further says that employees who collaborate are 17% more satisfied at their jobs and stay engaged than those who don't. 

Encourage employees

Employees who are regularly appreciated for their work are not just engaged but feel passionate about it. Regular encouragement and recognition are powerful motivators allowing employees to soar high in their roles. 

Rewarding employees encourages them to do well, sets an expectation standard, and motivates everyone to achieve their highest productivity level. 

When employees cheer for one another, it creates a positive vibe where everyone feels equal and valued. This sense of unity helps build trust, loyalty, and a collaborative mindset. 

Equip with stress management techniques

Work stress is common in every workplace, but how employees manage it can be a game changer. Empower them with different tools and techniques. Organize counseling sessions, promote mindful practices, allow flexible work schedules whenever possible, distribute disturbed workload evenly within the team, and so on. With the Manah Wellness LEAP program, you have easy access to all the resources you need to equip your employees to manage stress better. 

Source: AI-generated

FAQ

How can remote and distributed teams build psychological safety?

Remote teams can foster psychological safety by using collaboration tools with video communication, creating virtual team-building activities, and establishing clear communication protocols. Regular one-on-one check-ins and creating digital spaces for casual conversations can help replicate the trust-building dynamics of in-person workplace interactions.

What role do diversity and inclusion play in creating a psychologically safe workplace?

Diversity and inclusion go beyond representation—they create an environment where every employee feels respected, heard, and able to contribute fully. This means implementing inclusive hiring practices, providing unconscious bias training, and ensuring equal opportunities for growth and development across all demographic groups.