Speaking Up or Holding Back: Navigating Voice and Silence in the Workplace

The Management Lab

Employee voice refers to the ways in which employees communicate their opinions and suggestions to their managers on how to improve their organization. Conversely, employee silence occurs when employees withhold their views due to fear of negative consequences or a belief that their opinions are not valued. Understanding these dynamics is critical for managers because encouraging employee voice can lead to better organizational outcomes, such as higher performance, innovation, and employee retention. On the other hand, addressing the reasons behind employee silence can prevent potential issues from escalating and improve the overall workplace environment. In this episode, we delve into the research on employee voice and silence and address some of its main questions: What are the primary drivers of voice and silence? What are the effects of voice and silence behavior on individual employees and organizations? What can organizational leaders do to encourage voice and decrease silence behavior? How can we design organizational structures and processes to encourage voice and decrease silence behavior? Do men and women differ in their propensity for voice/silence behavior?