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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.
- 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
Employees who believe their psychological contract is fair (i.e., they receive as much as they give) are generally more motivated and committed to their work and the company’s wider goals and more likely to go above and beyond to perform.
What is a psychological contract? The term psychological contract refers to the often unspoken set of expectations and assumptions that two parties (employees and the organisation, its leaders and managers) have of each other about things like how they will behave and act.
May 21, 2024 · The Psychological Contract is an unwritten, implicit agreement or understanding between an employer and an employee regarding the expectations, perceptions, and obligations each party has towards the other in the workplace. It encompasses the non-tangible aspects of the employment relationship, such as trust, loyalty, and mutual expectations ...
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.
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This resource covers the theory of psychological contracts in organizational employment - and wider 'psychological contracting' in relationships, communications and societies - and the psychological contract 'iceberg' diagram.
