If employees feel a strong sense of belonging to the company, this means greater satisfaction with their work and has a positive effect on their motivation. They enjoy working together with their colleagues, have a high willingness to learn and are ready to get actively involved in issues. The daily work is then perceived as meaningful. Moreover, employees who feel they belong often remain part of a company for a long time. And retaining qualified employees is particularly important for companies.
Conversely, a lack of a sense of belonging has a negative impact on companies: If employees do not feel a belonging at work, they become lonely. According to a study, loneliness at work has negative effects on the health and well-being of employees – and thus leads to lower performance and more absenteeism. This also has consequences for the company, as the loneliness of an employee also has a negative impact on the team as well as the course of the project and thus jeopardises the overall success.1
In addition, a lack of a sense of belonging increases the risk of fluctuation. Therefore, it should be a high priority and a declared goal for employers to promote a sense of belonging in the company in order to strengthen their employees’ loyalty.
What creates a sense of belonging in the workplace?
In a study by LinkedIn, in which German employees were asked why they feel a sense of belonging to their company, 58% of the respondents stated that the most important factor is that “all employees are treated fairly and equally”. “Transparency” (16%) in the sense of “open and honest communication at all times” and “participation” (11%), i.e. “excellent employee involvement”, are the second most frequently cited reasons. A sense of belonging is also created by the feeling of being a cultural fit with the company, i.e. having the same or very similar attitudes. Therefore, “diversity” as well as the company’s “attitude towards social issues” and “corporate social responsibility programmes” are also important elements for a high sense of belonging and loyalty to a company.2
People feel a sense of belonging to a company when they work in a place they can identify with, where they feel comfortable and spend their working hours with people they like. People who feel connected to their employer show a higher willingness to perform, are more motivated to work for the company and to push forward the common goals. Their actions become more entrepreneurial, as their own interests are in line with the company’s goals. In order to develop, promote and permanently maintain a sense of belonging among employees, the above-mentioned factors must therefore be experienced in everyday working life.
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Corporate culture ONE LAPP At the LAPP Group, the globally lived corporate culture ONE LAPP ensures that employees feel a sense of belonging across all locations and worldwide subsidiaries. Learn more about how LAPP strengthens its employees’ sense of belonging in the interview with Matthias Lapp, CEO & Managing Director of U.I. Lapp GmbH. |
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