Gaining Employee Trust In The Workplace

Why is Trust Important In The Workplace?

Successful businesses are built on trust in the workplace. Relationships between employers and employees, staff and customers, internal stakeholders, and external stakeholders all depend on trust. A lack of trust in the workplace can result in a loss of the ability to come to an agreement. The benefits that can result from these successful relationships are exactly why trust is so important in the workplace. Some benefits we often see from companies who have full trust in their system and employees include: 

• Increased productivity amongst staff
• Improved morale amongst employees and staff
• Reduce the time to discuss issues

How To Build Trust In The Workplace

As a manager or leader in an organization, you can’t just throw that term around so lightly. Instead, show that you trust your team through the actions you take on a daily basis. You can build trust in the workplace by:

• Encouraging staff to knock out their day to day responsibilities
• Allowing teams to make decisions they feel are best for the company
• Being open and transparent in your decision-making
• Refrain from treating anyone or any team more favorably than another 
• Recognize and acknowledge your team’s successes

Lastly, understand your employees’ expectations of you, as well as your expectations of them. It is easy for a lack of trust in the workplace to grow when an employee feels as though their employer has unrealistic expectations and has set an unattainably high bar for success, resulting in consistent failure.

How To Rebuild Trust In The Workplace

It is just as critical to maintain trust with your employees once you have created it. If, however, you find yourself in a situation where you have lost the trust of your employees, regaining their trust is essential in your company’s success. The most important thing you can do in order to rebuild trust is to take ownership of your mistake. Make clear that you understand why your employees may have lost trust and acknowledge the mistakes you’ve made. After you’ve gotten past the acknowledgment phase, show how you are going to rectify the situation to ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future. Don’t rush the process; give your staff time, and you will regain their trust.