Gap in safety perception a 'warning sign' for employers
There is a growing disconnect between senior leaders and employees when it comes to psychological safety, according to a new report, amid employers' growing responsibilities to manage psychosocial harm at work.
Findings from Sonder's latest report revealed a "clear difference" in how people experience psychological safety at different levels of the organisation.
"Senior leaders, defined as directors, executives, and business owners, tend to feel safe, supported, and confident at work," the report read.
"But for middle managers and employees further down the seniority chain, the picture is more mixed."
According to the poll, 92% of leaders feel safe to make mistakes at work, much higher than the 80% of middle-management employees.
Leaders are also more likely to feel valued at work (80%), much higher than the middle-management employees who feel the same (67%).
Mark Oostergo, CEO of Australian Psychological Services, said the gap in perception is a "warning sign."
"It suggests that while leadership may feel psychologically safe, many of their employees are quietly struggling and that silence can mask deep cultural issues," Oostergo said in a statement.
Disconnect in customer aggression
Overall, the report found that more than half of employees suffer from psychological safety risks, including not feeling a sense of belonging (55%) at work and not feeling genuinely valued (60%).
Almost two out of three employees (65%) also said they experienced customer aggression at work, including 24% who experience it once a week.
"A staggering 76% of Gen Z respondents reported experiencing customer aggression," said Nathan Halliday, Chief of Member Operations at Sonder, in a statement.
"The figures are even more troubling for Gen Z men, who reported the highest levels of physical violence, and for Gen Z women, who cited persistent fears for their personal safety during their commutes and higher levels of discrimination and abuse at work."
Despite the prevalence, 31% of employees who experienced customer aggression said they did not get any support. For those who did, the most common forms of support offered were getting someone to talk them through the situation (41%) and getting wellbeing support services (27%).
Impact of neglecting safety
These findings come amid employers' growing responsibilities at managing psychosocial risks in the workplace, including job demands, violence and aggression, as well as harassment.
But the report noted that workplace safety is more than just a compliance issue.
It warned that 23% of workers have taken time off work for mental health in the last 12 months, while 11% did so for other safety concerns.
Half of employees also said they are disengaged, with 40% saying they are either open to or looking for new employment.
"Safety is no longer just a compliance issue, it's a business-critical challenge," said Raechel Gavin, Chief People Officer of Sonder, in a statement.
"If employees don't feel safe, they won't stay. They won't speak up. They won't perform. Organisations need to act now to close the safety gap."
