A Trusting Work Environment

I’m a big sports fan, and I understand why a new owner, General Manager (GM) or head coach would bring their own people in.  Many times, it has nothing to do with the staff that is already there.  It’s about trust.  The new owner, GM or head coach trusts the people they’ve worked with before. 

One way to create trust in the workplace is to have open lines of communication.  When management has open lines of communication it can lead to open lines of communication amongst team-members.  Open vertical lines of communication demonstrate a willingness to hear different perspectives.  Employees need to know they work in an environment where they can express their ideas.  This not only builds trust, but it also builds employees’ confidence, leading to more creativity.

When I started writing this post I was going to focus on dynamics in the workplace.  However, after reading this post by Ankita Poddar https://thehrbpstory.com/2025/01/28/2025-the-trends-and-non-trends/ I thought I’d combine the dynamics in the workplace with the overall work climate in the U.S.      

So, let’s shift gears.  If you talk to job seekers, they will tell you that finding a job in 2024 into 2025 is difficult.  For those in higher earning positions, companies aren’t paying higher salaries.  They’re doing more with less.  Hence, the people doing the work are stressed out.  With mass layoffs of federal employees, the private industry job market is going to get tighter.

The political climate and racial conflicts in the U.S. have had society in an anxiety ridden state for the past year and half.  In 2025 trust in the workplace is going to be difficult to find.  The lack of trust, mass layoffs of federal employees, the political climate, and racial conflicts lead to chaos in the workplace. 

It’s not HRs responsibility to cure the ills of society.  However, HR professionals can do their can part to improve trust in the workplace. They have the tools to change the atmosphere. 

HR professionals can recommend that managers just be kind.  Being kind doesn’t cost you anything.  A smile or a kind gesture goes a long way.  Be honest with your employees.  With the current job market and changes the administration is making people are mentally and emotionally struggling.  If you’re having a bad day, instead of taking it out on your employees, let them know you’re having a bad day.  If you have an employee that’s having a bad day extend some grace. 

Having open lines of communication, kindness, being honest and extending grace go a long way.  These four things can be the backbone of building trust in the workplace in 2025.