Survey Reveals Employees’ Fear of Speaking Up

While 69% of respondents to a recent survey commissioned by ISS stated that they have a sense of belonging at their workplace, more than half (51%) also cited feelings of not being able to share their opinions freely.

In compiling the report Belonging in the Workplace, ISS commissioned market research firm Opinium to survey more than 4,500 adults who work in various industries below management level in larger organizations with more than 250 employees. Respondents were based across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland.

According to the survey, 46% of respondents did not feel respected or treated fairly by colleagues or management at least some of the time. Of those with these feelings, one-fourth (25%) linked this directly to worsened mental health (such as anxiety or depression) and/or worse personal well-being (25%). These negative feelings played a role in workers either quitting (35%) or working less than usual (29%). The survey also found that the majority of respondents (78%) believe that creating a sense of belonging among staff should be a priority for the employer.

“The results confirm that creating a positive workplace culture where everybody feels safe is not a one-off activity. It requires constant consideration and should play a major role in every workplace decision, process, and solution,” said Corinna Refsgaard, ISS group chief people and culture officer. “While a majority of the people we have surveyed express a sense of belonging, we also observe a high number who have had negative experiences at work—experiences directly linked to worsened mental health and lower productivity. Dealing with this is critical for both individuals and businesses. The good thing is that there is much more we can do to increase psychological safety and well-being in the workplace.”

Feeling unable to speak up might also have a basis in the age of the worker. A survey released in January 2023 by Ethisphere Institute revealed that Gen Z employees—age 25 and younger—failed to mention workplace misconduct more often than their older counterparts, mainly out of fear of retaliation from management. Check out Gen Z Workers Afraid to Speak Up to learn more.