Does your workplace have your back?

The workplace. Two words that are so simple, yet carry so much weight. When you hear them, certain images come to mind. For some, you may think about your own place of business. For others, perhaps the quirky sitcom The Office comes to mind. Whatever came up for you, I invite you to journey with me as we explore three ways to know if a workplace truly has your back, and why it matters.

You know a workplace has your back when your voice is welcomed and your authentic self is embraced. It’s the kind of environment where you can share your ideas in meetings without fear of judgment, disregard, or disrespect. In short, a workplace that has your back fosters emotional safety.

You know a workplace has your back when leadership is grounded in transparency and trust. When integrity and accountability serve as their compass, you are confident that decisions are being made with your well-being in mind. In short, a workplace that has your back is one where leaders are trusted to guide with openness, collaboration, and empathy.

You know a workplace has your back when teammates support and genuinely celebrate one another. It’s a place where safe spaces are cultivated for peers to collaborate, grow, tackle workplace stressors, and recognize each other’s accomplishments. In short, a workplace has your back when you feel a sense of belonging in a trusted community.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because your well-being depends on it. The three indicators explored here – safety, trust, and support - are just a few of the foundational indicators that make up an emotionally safe, trauma-informed workplace, as Dr. Scott Giacomucci explains in his Trauma Informed vs. Trauma-Focused video. These three indicators are pivotal in considering your well-being because you are more than an employee, and a workplace that has your back will cultivate spaces where you can thrive socially, financially, personally, and professionally.

Written by: Angell Berry, LPC, MHSP