When you first start at an organization, there is tons and tons of paperwork. Sometimes it feels like you are signing your life away! From tax forms to acknowledging receipt of the employee handbook, you and the organization make a lot of explicit promises to each other.
Why Some things are NOT better left unsaid
For example, you make a commitment to refrain from sexually harassing a coworker, while the organization makes a commitment to investigate any sexual harassment claims that are filed. What’s often forgotten, but probably more important, is the psychological contract both parties sign when a new hire starts.
Think for a second about that implied contract. While the new hire is signing that paperwork, they are thinking, “this employer better furnish a safe and respectful work environment free of harm, and where I can be my best self.” On the other side of the table, the employer representative is thinking, “this employee better work hard to achieve goals, and to behave in the best interest of this company.” If this unsaid contract is perceived to be broken the relationship between employer and employee is damaged.
The employee disengages, unintentionally or intentionally reduces effort, and maybe even quits. The employer might also take disciplinary action to try to force better performance. For example, if the behavior of the abrasive leader in your organization is not being addressed, employees come to believe the employer is failing to uphold their side of the contract – the one that was never explicitly stated. Something interesting about this contract is that, because it’s unsaid, it’s unstable.
Perceptions about what each party owes the other is just that – a perception. My advice – make the implicit contract explicit. Ask what employee expectations are and then write them down.
Recommendation
When new employees start, make sure managers sit down with them and discuss their working relationship, what they expect from the employee, and what the employee expects of them. I recommend they put all that in a written document and sign it. Another way employers can keep their end of the bargain is by creating a healthy workplace policy that sets expectations on how everyone should behave, rather than telling them the consequences of behaving poorly.
I have a template policy here, to make it a little easier for you! And, consistently discuss performance expectations for both parties. By making performance conversations more collaborative and by documenting them, managers and employees can remain apprised of what the psychological contract is and what changes were made over time.
It all boils down to creating an environment where employees are comfortable expressing their concerns and their own expectations, and where leaders can do the same. The contract is then less likely to be perceived as broken, and when it is, you can have a collaborative conversation about it. Remember, open communication is key!
Sincerely, Catherine P.S If you want to learn more about the explicit versus implicit promises you make as an employer, join me for a free webinar on Culture and Compliance: Why & How Both Drive Business Success, on Nov 7 at 10 am PST. I have a ton of useful nuggets for you and as always, some cool bonuses. Registration is explicit. 🙂
