TRAUMA-INFORMED GUIDING PRINCIPLE #5: Empowerment, Voice, and Choice
The workplace can be a stressful environment, which is why it’s important to create an atmosphere that promotes wellness and encourages employees to take control of their own wellbeing. One way to do this is by incorporating the SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Principle: Empowerment, Voice, and Choice. This principle emphasizes empowering individuals with the resources they need to make decisions about their work lives and create positive change in their environments. By supporting these core values in the workplace, employers can foster an environment where all employees feel respected and supported regardless of past trauma or current circumstances.
Recently, SAMHSA released a report highlighting the importance of creating an environment that fosters safety and meaningful engagement with colleagues through empowering individuals to make decisions regarding their work. SAMHSA highlighted the importance of empowering employees through voice, choice, and empowerment in order to create an environment that promotes safety and encourages collaboration.
Here are some tips on how employers can implement empowerment, voice, and choice into their organizations:
• Design a communication policy that honors and respects voices and stories of all team members
• Create an environment that encourages collaboration amongst teams and leadership
• Offer training and professional development on effective communication and conflict management
• Engage in listening sessions often and plan to respond with action
• Support employees in their career and professional goals by providing access to executive coaching sessions
• Provide a space for them to share ideas with leadership and decision-makers (be to sure to address feelings of fear of repercussions, judgment, and retaliation)
Being trauma-informed is essential for improving workplace culture. When empowerment, voice, and choice are implemented correctly, HR liabilities and risk are significantly reduced and team morale is improved.. By following SAMHSA's trauma-informed guiding principles employers can enhance overall team wellbeing, contribute to productivity and retention within an organization.