Bristol, we all want to feel like we belong. Psychologists have known this for a long time, and cite belonging as a fundamental human need that brings meaning to our lives.

Traditionally, this need was met by family and community networks. But as a society becomes more individualized, with many people moving away from their community and family, the workplace has become an important source of meaning, connection, and friendship.

Many employers know the value of belonging, claiming that their organization is like a family – a place where everyone feels welcome and takes care of each other, but in reality, only the hired Going is not enough to feel that you belong.Belonging is about feeling accepted and included. It can mean that you are “seen” by your coworkers and manager, and that your work is considered rewarding and respected. Most people want to do meaningful work, and feeling a sense of belonging and connection with others is important. Is part of. Meaning in work can come from the work itself – doing something that aligns with our purpose – or from the relationships and roles people create in the workplace. Consider someone who has a formal or informal position to provide assistance to their coworkers.This feeling of connection can make the job more meaningful.

Familiarity is also good for business. Feeling excluded and lonely can cause people to become disengaged, which can negatively impact their work performance. Surveys have shown that more than 50 percent of those who left their jobs did so in search of better assets, with younger workers more likely to leave.

Ostracism can be as painful as physical injury, and feeling isolated can have a variety of negative health effects.I n the contrary, when employees feel they belong, they are happier and less lonely, leading to increased productivity, fewer sick days and higher profits. As a psychotherapist, I In the role, I work with countless people who feel unsupported and alone in the workplace due to direct or indirect discrimination and exclusion. The instinctive reaction may be to try harder to get something accepted – but this can lead to exhaustion trying to get approval that will probably never come.

The pandemic changed the way we think and engage in work. Some businesses may feel that bringing people back to the office is the answer to building relationships and fostering belonging.But the truth is that such actions can have the opposite effect.

People may withdraw and become less connected to such places. People who prefer to work from home may feel inadequate at their workplace if they have to come to the office to deliver work. They can work equally, if not more productively at home. On the other hand For some people, being in the office provides a sense of belonging and connection that may be missing when working from home. Ideally enabling a balance between the two allows people to benefit from both locations and work in a way that maximizes productivity and connection.But it may take some time for employers to figure out how to get the balance right.

finding belonging

As workplaces are becoming more diverse, it is especially important to consider belonging. Discrimination in the workplace is more likely to be experienced by marginalized groups, and it is a major barrier to belonging. Employees in organizations that are more diverse, especially those in senior leadership positions, are more likely to feel a sense of belonging. Have a possibility. Diversity is also related to greater productivity and profitability.But organizations must consider diversity delivery. While grand statements of inclusion may attract new workers, if the senior leadership team is predominantly white middle class, these statements mean nothing.

To effectively embrace diversity, it must go hand in hand with psychological safety. This means that everyone – not just those who share characteristics with the majority or leaders – feels they have a voice and are listened to. A workplace where people are afraid to raise concerns, worried about making mistakes, or feel there is a lack of transparency, means a lack of psychological safety.When people feel unable to bring their authenticity to work, they may begin to adjust their language – adopting different identities or codeswitching – to become more “acceptable” and fit in. These strategies initially help the worker create a sense of safety for themselves in the workplace, but can also result in burnout and burnout. Creating ways in which people can express their authenticity – for example, employee organizations such as Women's Network Through resource groups – you can create a safe space to share with others who have had similar experiences in the workplace. For those who are self-employed or work mostly from home, consider finding online groups or local co-working spaces that reflect the social benefits of a workplace community to combat isolation.

When employees' efforts are recognized and rewarded, they feel more connected to the broader team.But it doesn't have to be through a pay raise or promotion – even an email from a manager can boost one's sense of belonging. The more recognition and appreciation we have for the work we do, including from colleagues, the more positive the benefits.

Not everyone has the opportunity to leave a workplace that makes them feel unsafe or unhappy. If you're in this situation, you can reduce the negative impact by finding connections and belonging outside of work and reconnecting with people and activities that give you meaning and happiness.(talk)GSP