A recent public opinion survey conducted for ISS by Opinium sheds light on the topic of 'Belonging in the Workplace.'
The research, based on responses from 4,500 individuals working in various industries below management level within organisations with over 250 employees, was conducted between 15th March 2023 and 26th April 2023.
Participants represented a cross-section of society across the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland.
The results confirm the importance of creating a safe and positive workplace culture that should be integrated into every workplace decision, process, and solution.
It's important to note that no ISS employees took part in the survey.
The survey findings reveal that although 69% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they feel a sense of belonging at work, half of them (51%) expressed feeling unable to freely share their opinions in the workplace at least some of the time over the past year.
Additionally, nearly half of the respondents (46%) stated that they didn't feel respected or treated fairly by their colleagues or management at least some of the time.
Corinna Refsgaard, Group Chief People & Culture Officer at ISS, emphasises the significance of these findings, stating, "The results confirm the importance of creating a safe and positive workplace culture that should be integrated into every workplace decision, process, and solution." Refsgaard highlights that these negative feelings of belonging are associated with reduced productivity, compromised mental health, and an increased risk of employee turnover.
The survey also reveals that a significant proportion of respondents across the five countries frequently experienced the inability to freely express their opinions (15%) and reported not being treated fairly or respected (13%).
Furthermore, 14% of respondents frequently felt misaligned with their organisation's values.
Among those who experienced these negative feelings, 25% directly linked them to worsened mental health, such as anxiety or depression, and reduced personal well-being.
The survey also showed that 35% of respondents considered changing jobs or workplaces, and 29% admitted to working less diligently than they normally would.
On a positive note, the majority of respondents (78%) believe that creating a sense of belonging among employees should be a priority for employers.
To further enhance this sense of belonging, respondents suggested various actions employers could take, including providing more flexibility in terms of working hours and remote work, supporting freedom of opinion, and creating more opportunities for socialising.
Refsgaard emphasises the ongoing effort required to foster a positive workplace culture and ensure psychological safety.
"It requires constant consideration and should play a major role in every workplace decision, process, and solution." Refsgaard emphasises the importance of specific and measurable actions embedded throughout the leadership team and organisation.
She highlights increasing flexible working conditions, promoting an open feedback culture, facilitating socialising opportunities, and thoughtful workplace design as potential actions for employers to consider.
Creating a positive workplace culture where everybody feels safe is not a one-off activity,
Refsgaard concludes by emphasising the need for continuous engagement and dialogue on the topic, as fostering a sense of belonging is an ongoing and dynamic process.
