Studies show that perceived uncertainty about job security has a direct impact on employee productivity, and even on their physical health. Another study showed that being afraid of losing your job makes you a less attentive worker… and therefore more likely to have an accident.
What is worse? Getting fired or the fear of losing your job? According to a study from the University of Louvain in Belgium, there is nothing worse than uncertainty because employees feel powerless against their own fate.
So, the fear of being fired carries more importance for employees than actually getting fired. Indeed, this uncertainty reduces employees’ satisfaction for working, undermines their productivity, has an impact on their physical and mental health and increases their risk of burning out. And no, uncertainty does not push employees to work harder. Rather, it demoralizes them.
Anxiety = zero creativity
An employee that is anxious about losing his job will be less creative, but also more careless. Another study conducted by the Washington State University found that the fear of being fired is making workers less concerned for their safety, and therefore more likely to be victims of accidents. And since they are afraid of losing their jobs, these employees are less likely to even report such injuries or accidents.
No mayday!
Another study, to be published in the winter of 2015 by the University of Texas A & M, found that employees fearful of losing their jobs are less likely to seek help, especially for aid programs offered to employees by their employers. The study was conducted among 655 employees of a major American company in the energy field, where layoffs were very few, and even nonexistent in the department where the employees worked.
But employees who fears for their jobs will not let it be known to their superiors. Instead, they will try to give their 200% on the job and show that they are indispensable. But, according to the same University of Texas A & M study, it can affect their private lives since these employees are sometimes desperate to keep their jobs, even neglecting their families, which can lead to burnouts or personal conflicts.
So, what’s the most important thing to remember, according to researchers? Ensuring that your job is at stake… but only when it really is! Because an uncertain employee is not only unproductive, but more importantly, is not happy.