How a Trauma-Responsive, Empathetic Workplace can Support Employee Engagement and Inclusion
A supportive and inclusive workplace is critical to the design of innovative public health practices. Organizations that cultivate a trauma-responsive approach to conversations in the workplace can increase a sense of belonging thereby reducing turnover, increasing retention and improving productivity. An evidenced-informed approach can be used to help employees better understand the relationship between trauma, empathy, psychological safety and employee engagement.
Abstract
Problem
Recognizing, addressing, and mitigating stress in the workplace is crucial for cultivating a healthier and inclusive environment for all employees. These experiences often shape individuals' communication patterns, professional interactions, and community collaborations. When public health institutions outline activities that apply an intersectional approach to addressing trauma, workplace culture, and public health practice, they can better prepare their workforce to meet community needs.
Method
CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control used SAMHSA's Six-Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach to design a 5-part listening and learning series to facilitate conversations about traumatic experiences, self-care, empathy, psychological safety, and ways employees can gain better insight about themselves and their co-workers of how these factors inform our beliefs and behaviors.
Results
Training evaluations were used to assess the impact of the training sessions on participants' knowledge about a trauma-responsive workplace and its relationship to employee well-being and the work. The findings will be compared to outcomes for an organizational climate assessment and will be used to inform future workforce development initiatives.
Significance to the field
By examining how different types of trauma impact employees and the workplace, public health institutions can create programs to increase well-being and psychological safety. Workplace listening and learning sessions can help improve compassion, communication, and collaboration. Public health professionals who are informed about trauma-responsive approaches are better prepared to foster respectful, meaningful engagements.
How a Trauma-Responsive, Empathetic Workplace can Support Employee Engagement and Inclusion
Problem
Recognizing, addressing, and mitigating stress in the workplace is crucial for cultivating a healthier and inclusive environment for all employees. These experiences often shape individuals' communication patterns, professional interactions, and community collaborations. When public health institutions outline activities that apply an intersectional approach to addressing trauma, workplace culture, and public health practice, they can better prepare their workforce to meet community needs.
Method
CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control used SAMHSA's Six-Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach to design a 5-part listening and learning series to facilitate conversations about traumatic experiences, self-care, empathy, psychological safety, and ways employees can gain better insight about themselves and their co-workers of how these factors inform our beliefs and behaviors.
Results
Training evaluations were used to assess the impact of the training sessions on participants' knowledge about a trauma-responsive workplace and its relationship to employee well-being and the work. The findings will be compared to outcomes for an organizational climate assessment and will be used to inform future workforce development initiatives.
Significance to the field
By examining how different types of trauma impact employees and the workplace, public health institutions can create programs to increase well-being and psychological safety. Workplace listening and learning sessions can help improve compassion, communication, and collaboration. Public health professionals who are informed about trauma-responsive approaches are better prepared to foster respectful, meaningful engagements.
