A Quantitative Investigation on the Role of Allowed Workplace Flexibility for Employees' Perceived Psychological Security - a focus on the Intersection between Generation Y and Z

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to workplace flexibility and its potential impact on employee psychological safety, particularly among Generations Y and Z in Germany. This study combines primary and secondary research, including a survey of 320 respondents experienced in flexible work. Surprisingly, no clear positive or negative correlation between New Work models and psychological safety was found, challenging common thinking. Four key recommendations emerge as a result: 1. Investigate specific respondent groups, 2. Focus on certain employee categories (e.g., roles or industries), 3. Solicit feedback from employees and 4. Provide training and education for affected employees. However, gender and education imbalances in the respondent pool hinder generalizability. Therefore, future research should target more specific groups like management students or those in digital professions. In conclusion, this study adds to the discourse on workplace flexibility and its impact on psychological safety. It underscores the necessity for targeted research to comprehend its effects on diverse employee segments.