Ten Traits of a World-Class Safety Culture – #6 Respectful Work Environment

1. Trust and respect permeate the organization.
2. A high level of trust is established in the organization, fostered partly through timely and accurate communication.
3. Differing opinions are encouraged, discussed, and resolved promptly and professionally.
4. Employees are informed of the steps taken in response to their concerns.

Attributes:

Respect is Evident: Everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Behavior Examples:

1. The organization regards individuals and their professional capabilities and experiences as its most valuable asset.
2. Individuals at all levels of the organization treat each other with dignity and respect.
3. Individuals do not demonstrate or tolerate bullying or humiliating behaviors.
4. Leaders monitor for behaviors that can hurt the work environment and address them promptly.
5. Executives and senior managers ensure policies and expectations are enforced fairly and consistently for individuals at all levels of the organization.
6. Individuals treat decision-makers with respect, even when they disagree with a decision.
7. Leaders ensure facilities are conducive to a productive work environment and housekeeping is maintained.

Opinions are Valued: Individuals are encouraged to voice concerns, provide suggestions, and raise questions. Differing opinions are respected.

Behavior Examples:

1. The organization encourages individuals to offer ideas, concerns, suggestions, differing opinions, and questions to help identify and solve problems.
2. Leaders are receptive to ideas, concerns, suggestions, differing opinions, and questions.
3. The organization promotes robust discussions, recognizing that differing opinions are a natural result of differences in expertise, experience, and expectations.
4. Individuals value the insights and perspectives provided by quality assurance, the employee concerns program and independent oversight organization personnel.

High Level of Trust: Trust is fostered among individuals and work groups throughout the organization.

Behavior Examples:

1. Leaders promote collaboration among work groups.
2. Leaders respond to questions and concerns openly and honestly.
3. Leaders, sensitive to the negative impact of a lack of information, share important information openly, honestly, and timely so that trust is maintained.
4. Leaders ensure that operational status and important work milestones are communicated throughout the organization.
5. Leaders acknowledge positive performance and address negative performance promptly and directly with the individual involved. Confidentiality is maintained as appropriate.
6. Leaders welcome performance feedback from the organization and modify their behavior when appropriate.

Conflict Resolution: Fair and objective methods are used to resolve conflicts.

Behavior Examples:

1. The organization implements processes to ensure fair and objective resolution of conflicts and differing views.
2. Leaders ensure conflicts are resolved in a balanced, equitable, and consistent manner, even outside of defined processes.
3. Individuals have confidence that conflicts will be resolved respectfully and professionally.

Adapted from:  INPO Pocket Guide to INPO 12-012: Traits of a Healthy Nuclear Safety Culture