Employee belonging really matters

Employee belonging – tl;dr

• For employees, feeling a sense of belonging greatly increases their professional success.
• Workers with more psychological safety report a stronger sense of belonging (95% compared to 69%) and feel more comfortable being their authentic selves at work (95% vs. 75%).
• A strong sense of belonging at work increases job performance by 56%, lowers turnover risk by 50%, and reduces sick days by 75%, which can save large companies millions each year.

What is engagement at work really about?

It’s less about perks and short-term incentives, and more about purpose and fellowship. When employees know their work is meaningful, that they’re growing professionally as part of a supportive team, engagement naturally follows. Of course, better creativity and overall performance come next.

Elements of a strong bond with the office and colleagues.

Trust. Open communication. Mutual respect. These are the building blocks of real connection at work — of belonging. They are what make for an affirming, inclusive setting where everyone gets value and understanding. When people are genuinely happy to show up, they give their best each day.

When workmates feel they can rely on each other, speak honestly, and are esteemed for who they are, a powerful experience of connection happens. It is more than just functionally working well as a team. It is about a landscape where everyone is safe bringing their whole self, motivated not only by their work but by their people. This is what makes the office feel like a community. When individual successes are shared and celebrated, people truly want to contribute

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

“Belonging” helps employees in innumerable ways.

It turns out, a collective sense of belonging may be one of the strongest indicators of a high-performing, committed workforce.

• A sense of belonging significantly increases occupational success. And The American Immigration Council and Over Zero’s recent “Belonging Barometer,” found that belonging is tied to retention and greater willingness to recommend one’s job.
• APA’s 2024 Work in America survey found that workers with higher psychological safety feel a stronger sense of belonging (95% vs. 69%) and comfort in expressing their true selves at work (95% vs. 75%).
• Research shows that “weak ties” like work acquaintances are as vital to life satisfaction as close personal relationships, with coworkers providing many of these beneficial connections.
• High belonging in the workplace boosts job performance by 56%, reduces turnover risk by 50%, and lowers sick days by 75%, potentially saving large companies millions annually.
• Employees with a strong sense of belonging are 167% more likely to recommend their employer, receive twice as many raises, and are 18 times more likely to be promoted.

Belonging is like the backbone of a well-functioning team.

It provides the support and structure needed for employees to connect meaningfully with their work and each other.

Improved employee engagement and loyalty…

Employees who sense they belong relate to their work and each other in a different way. They are more invested and more eager to help others. A space is nurtured wherein discussion of thoughts and ideas happens freely, without judgment. For this part, acoustic booths help.

Belonging unlocks the potential of employees…

It makes people feel valued and secure. It reduces stress, boosting willingness to take initiative. It forges deeper engagement, as teammates work with each other more collaboratively toward the big goal. It lets employees bring their true selves to work, more closely reaching potential.

Team synergy as a result of a strong sense of belonging…

Employees who belong have more flowing correspondence. Their confidence motivates them to share bravely, to rely on others, and to tackle challenges more cooperatively. People who are included and respected ultimately shape harmonious day-to-day teamwork.

Lower staff turnover…

When employees are important and appreciated, they are simply more satisfied. This naturally adds to their loyalty. And the healthy sense of identity inspires them to stay longer, greatly reducing their likelihood of seeking opportunities elsewhere.

Improving the mental health and well-being of employees…

When employees belong, they don’t have isolation or its corresponding angst. They enjoy emotional resilience knowing workmates and managers are there through the hard times. In the end, a more positive atmosphere is formed wherein better mental health produces happier, healthier workers.

How to build belonging in the workplace?

There are many actionable ways to do it!

Cater to unique employee needs.

By actively listening to employees and understanding their individual needs, you not only recognize and support everyone. You also lay the groundwork for strengthened team dynamics

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Make the office more of a community via zoning.

By providing spaces for collaboration alongside areas for focused work, the office acknowledges that different individuals thrive in different settings. This approach not only encourages social interaction and relationship-building in casual coworking areas but also respects the need for privacy. And at the end of the day, when employees can choose their ideal workspace — whether it’s a vibrant team zone or a quiet pod like hushFree.S for serious focus — they are more at home and at ease

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

The careful thought behind office zoning promotes inclusivity and personal expression, nurturing a sense of community and belonging that enhances connection among colleagues.

Prioritize psychological safety.

To have psychological safety, employees need to feel comfortable in their environment and with peers. Office zoning using solutions like partitions and hushFree pods helps greatly toward both aims, giving people an array of settings to pick from, enjoying more task-fit harmony as they work.

Treat peace-and-quiet spaces as essential.

When employees can work without interruption, they are supported in performing at a high caliber. Their sense of accomplishment and basic enjoyment of work is fundamentally boosted. And in spaces designed for silence like hushFree booths, people are able to think critically and innovate bravely without external pressure. The assurance that they can focus unbothered adds to a culture of trust. Of course, silence is also crucial to a clearer mental space, letting one process information or work out complex solutions in solitude

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

When employees can concentrate without competing stimuli, they are less stressed. Greater fulfillment in their work is possible, as one’s sustained attention and overall ability to work constructively with others is assisted. All by the mere affordance of peace-and-quiet.

HushFree booths help create a friendly, effective workplace.

Consider three booths from the hushFree line…

The hushFree.S 1-person work booth grants personal space.

With adjustable lights and ventilation, hushFree.S is the cozy workspace needed for private tasks. It gives you sovereignty of your environment by affording control over it. Inside, you are free to settle in and think out loud.

HushFree.M is a meeting pod seating 4, for natural camaraderie.

Comfortable seating and a convenient meeting table make hushFree.M a premium space for small team meetings. Its fabric-upholstered panels imbue every gathering with a tone that is both professional and relaxed.

The hushFree.L 4-6 person pod accommodates team-building social functions.

HushFree.L insulates all sound made inside while blocking out surrounding noise. It offers employees within discretion and quietude while promising employees outside untouched peace.

Employee belonging – tl;dr

• For employees, feeling a sense of belonging greatly boosts their professional success.
• Workers with greater psychological safety report a stronger sense of belonging (95% compared to 69%) and feel more comfortable being their authentic selves at work (95% vs. 75%).
• A strong sense of belonging at work increases job performance by 56%, lowers turnover risk by 50%, and reduces sick days by 75%, which can save large companies millions each year.

Employee belonging – frequently asked questions

Why does belonging matter?

Belonging really matters because it’s at the heart of how engaged, happy, and successful people feel at work. When employees feel they truly belong, they’re not only more productive — performing better and taking fewer sick days — but they’re also more likely to stay, to recommend their company, and even to grow professionally.

How can I improve employee belonging?

Start by fostering psychological safety. Encourage open feedback and hear out employee concerns. Know that interpersonal or work-related concerns are as important as complaints to do with the office’s design. Today, many employees complain of office noise and lacking privacy due to the rise of open layouts, for instance. HushFree booths are a worthy solution to the problem — they are quiet and private and give employees the sense of sovereignty over space necessary for one to feel at home within it.

What is psychological safety at work?

Psychological safety at work is like a safety net in a high-wire act. It gives employees the confidence to take risks, speak openly, and try new ideas without fear of a fall. Just as the net allows performers to focus fully on their act, psychological safety lets employees engage, innovate, and collaborate, knowing they’re supported if they stumble.