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A psychological contract (PC) is a reciprocal exchange of an unwritten promise formulated between and employee and an employer. Stemming from psychological foundations, PCs provide a powerful rationale for why employers must attend to the ‘human’ side of the employee-employer relationship.
- The Definition
- The Pros
- The Cons
- The Impact on The Bottom Line
As editor, I have written about this form of ‘contract’ on occasion. Below is an excerpt from The Importance of the Psychological Contract. Vera Hillman, a former HR Exchange Network contributor, has also written about the concept. In her piece, The Psychological Contract: Relevance for Our Everyday Business Operations, Hillmann outlined what she c...
Having defined the psychological contract in greater detail, let us turn the focus now to the pros and cons.
Not-On-Paper
As previously mentioned, the psychological contract is not a physical contract; it’s not documented in any way. This makes it very difficult to execute. In fact, some say it is for this reason alone a PC cannot actually be defined as a contract.
Inconsistent
The psychological contract isinconsistent. Every single employee develops their own PC with the company. While these contracts may be similar across the board, they are still just as unique as each member of the company workforce.
Redundant
There are some that believe the concept of the psychological contract is redundant, even obsolete. Why? There are other ways to measure the employee-employer relationship. This includes employee engagement and pulse surveys.
Like it or not, the psychological contract is real and in force for every employee. Ignoring this fact can be a detriment to the company. Why? These contracts, while the responsibility of both parties, are not created by the employer, but the employee. Additionally, they can change those contracts on a whim and there is no notice required to the em...
- Mason Stevenson
Jun 25, 2024 · The author of this article argues that in a time of continuous change, these contracts will need to be revisited, and she proposes some actions that companies can take to renegotiate the terms ...
Oct 15, 2024 · Invisible terms: Because psychological contracts are unwritten and often unspoken, identifying and addressing all the elements of the contract can be challenging. Employers may inadvertently breach these invisible terms, damaging the employment relationship.
Key Takeaways. Psychological contracts are unwritten agreements between employees and employers. They significantly impact employee engagement, motivation, and retention. Fairness and trust are fundamental to strong psychological contracts. Effective communication is vital for managing expectations.
May 3, 2018 · The psychological contract is an important agreement between employees and employers. This article looks at the key element of the contract: communication. It also looks at the role diversity plays and how breaches occur and how to avoid them.
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Nov 17, 2005 · Practical guides to managing the psychological contract are conspicuous by their absence. The reasons for this are difficult to establish. One possible explanation is that, as discussed in detail earlier, psychological contract theory is underspecified and somewhat weak.
