Why Over a Million Employees Feel Unsafe at Work And What We Can Do About It

The Numbers Behind Social Safety

According to recent CBS data (2024), more than one million people in the Netherlands feel unsafe at work. On average, 17% of employees experience unwanted behavior in the workplace, and in the healthcare sector that number rises to 30%. Such behavior puts significant psychological strain on workers and contributes to rising absenteeism rates. Reducing absenteeism is crucial for long-term employability and job satisfaction, especially in industries already facing staff shortages. Building social safety can be a powerful tool to counter these challenges.

The Three Pillars of a Safe Workplace

As any HR professional knows, workplace safety goes beyond physical measures. A truly safe workplace rests on three pillars: physical, social, and psychological safety.

• Physical safety: The basics: fire exits, protective clothing, emergency procedures—as well as a comfortable and well-organized environment.
• Social safety: The way colleagues treat each other. Gossip, bullying, and discrimination can deeply harm well-being. Policies help, but the real challenge lies in ensuring they are put into practice.
• Psychological safety: Perhaps the most complex, employees should feel free to voice opinions, admit mistakes, and raise concerns without fear of negative consequences.

When all three forms of safety are embedded, the benefits are clear: higher engagement, stronger collaboration, lower absenteeism, and greater creativity and innovation.

Inclusion as a Foundation

Social safety and inclusivity are closely linked. Inclusion means more than simply having a diverse workforce, it’s about ensuring all employees, regardless of background, feel valued and supported. Whether it’s cultural, gender, or LGBTQ+ diversity, true inclusion allows different perspectives to contribute to organizational success.

When people feel accepted for who they are, they’re more willing to speak up. But inclusivity requires more than ideals, it demands active policies and a workplace culture where everyone genuinely feels welcome.

The Role of Leadership

Leaders play a central role in fostering social safety. They are not only responsible for results, but also for how employees feel within the team.

Research by Amy Edmondson (Harvard Business School) shows that the greater the power gap between manager and employee, the less likely employees are to speak up. To close that gap, leaders can:

• Show vulnerability by admitting mistakes or uncertainty.
• Encourage dialogue and actively listen.
• Make it clear that feedback and concerns are always welcome.

HR can support leaders by offering training and acting as a safe contact point for employees. A “connective leadership style”—marked by empathy and open communication—can lower barriers for employees to share concerns, making it easier to prevent or address unsafe behavior.

Practical Steps to Strengthen Social Safety

Policies alone won’t do the job, they need to be alive in the organization. Here are some concrete actions with immediate impact:

• Develop clear policies on psychosocial risks (PSA) and involve employees in shaping and reviewing them.
• Offer training to help staff recognize and address unsafe behavior.
• Measure workplace culture regularly through surveys, exit interviews, and confidential contact points.
• Promote a speak-up culture, ensuring employees know how to report concerns without fear of consequences.
• Strengthening diversity and inclusion policies to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities in recruitment and daily work.

Building Safety Is an Ongoing Process

Social safety is not a one-time checklist but a continuous effort. With strong leadership, inclusive culture, and consistent attention to employee well-being, organizations can create environments where people feel heard, valued, and safe. The result: happier teams, stronger performance, and reduced absenteeism.

What steps has your organization taken to improve social safety? And where do you see room for growth? Together, we can build workplaces where everyone feels respected and secure.

Want to receive our newsletter? Click here