Four Forms of Employee Silence- Part Two

Employee silence in organizations refers to a state in which employees refrain from sharing information or critical opinions, or calling attention to issues at work, such as illegal or immoral practices or developments that violate personal, moral, or legal standards.

Research has identified four types of silence. We considered the first two: passive and defensive silence in Tip #1059. Now we’ll consider the last two types of silence.

Social Silence

Employees withhold work-related ideas, information, or opinions with the goal of benefiting other people or the organization—based on altruistic or cooperative motives.

In socially motivated silence, employees do not complain and they tend to tolerate inconveniences at work without voicing their grievances.

The reasons for social silence may be manifold: an altruistic personality, a high motive for affiliation, or an interest in maintaining their social capital in the group.

These employees can be described as “fellows in silence.”

How to address social silence:

·?????? Welcome and encourage employees to voice their opinions, particularly in regard to other people in the team and organization.

·?????? Communicate that the only way you and your team will improve your products and work lives is to say something, and that open dialogue does not need to change personal relations.

·?????? Emphasize the importance of open and honest communication to group cohesion and collaboration.

Opportunistic Silence

Employees withhold information to achieve perceived advantages for themselves.

The behaviors that are characteristic of opportunistic silence relate to withholding of or provision of incomplete or distorted information, with the purpose to mislead, disguise, or confuse.

Information withholding, or deviant silence, is a very powerful tactic leading to counter-productive work behavior.

Employees may also withhold information because they do not want to give away power and status or just because they want to avoid additional workload.

These employees can be described as “tactically in silence.”

How to address opportunistic silence:?

?·?????? Directly address situations when employees hoard information to the detriment of others.

·?????? Active team building may need to take place, so employees recognize that they help themselves when they help others to succeed.

·?????? Demonstrate the value of speaking up and sharing information for the whole team.

Question:?Have you seen or experienced social or opportunistic silence in your workplace?