2021
Overview
Psychological safety in workplaces refers to an organizational climate in which employees feel able to speak up, take interpersonal risks, and express concerns without fear of negative consequences such as humiliation, rejection, or punishment. Research published in Human Psychology examines threats to psychological safety, including workplace bullying within higher educational organizations. This work explores how negative interpersonal behaviors undermine the conditions necessary for employees to feel secure in their work environments, particularly in academic settings where power dynamics and hierarchical structures may create vulnerability. Understanding psychological safety matters because it directly affects employee well-being, organizational functioning, and the quality of work relationships. When psychological safety is compromised through bullying or other hostile behaviors, employees may withhold valuable input, avoid collaboration, and experience significant psychological distress. The examination of these dynamics in higher education contexts is particularly relevant given the sector's role in knowledge creation and its reliance on open intellectual exchange. By investigating barriers to psychological safety, research in this area contributes to understanding how organizations can foster healthier work environments that support both individual flourishing and collective effectiveness.
Research published in this journal
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.