Psychosocial Safety and Authenticity: Associations and Mediators

Abstract

Through a cross-sectional sample of 90 participants, this study aimed to understand how perceptions of psychosocial safety influence employees’ sense of authenticity in the workplace, and whether job crafting and learning behaviours play a mediating role in this relationship. It was assumed that high levels of psychosocial safety would relate to higher levels of learning and job crafting, and that higher levels of learning and job crafting would be positively associated with authenticity. Contrary to expectations, the results indicate that authenticity was not associated with psychosocial safety, learning, or job crafting. However, both learning and job crafting were positively associated with psychosocial safety, highlighting the importance of supportive organisational climates in facilitating employees’ engagement in proactive behaviours. Decision authority and job demands emerged as influential predictors in the relationship among all variables, and their intersection with facilitating job crafting is worthy of further investigation. These findings highlight the imperative for organisations and individuals alike to prioritise autonomy and manageable workloads in fostering authentic workplaces. In shedding light on the intricate interplay between authenticity and psychosocial safety, a topic that remains relatively understudied, this study offers valuable insights into the nuance dynamics at play within organisational climates.