work where you belong

A sense of belonging is vital to business success because it taps into a fundamental human need for connection, acceptance, and security. When employees feel they truly belong, they are more likely to bring their authentic selves to work, which unlocks significant benefits across performance, retention, and innovation.

Belonging and productivity - the facts

(Source: Better Up / Harvard business review)

• 56% increase in job performance

• 50% drop in the risk of employee turnover, resulting in substantial savings on recruitment and training costs

• 75% reduction in employee sick days

• 91% of employees who feel they belong are engaged, compared to only 20% of those who don't.

A sense of belonging is vital to employee engagement and happiness because it addresses a fundamental human psychological need—the desire to feel accepted, valued, and connected to a group. When employees feel they belong, they experience psychological safety, which is the foundation for bringing their authentic selves to work and contributing their best effort.

• Higher Job Satisfaction: Belonging boosts work experience and happiness by valuing employees' unique identities.

• The connection between belonging and mental health is profound, as the brain processes social pain—like exclusion—similarly to physical pain. When a sense of belonging is absent, it can lead to stress, isolation, and mental health challenges.

• Basic Human Need: Belonging is recognized as a fundamental human need, similar to food and shelter (Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs). When this need is met, it fosters greater psychological and social resilience.

  • Source: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs; Research published in journals like PMC/NIH on (Un)belonging at work.

• Alleviating Stress and Loneliness: A strong sense of connection at work combats feelings of isolation and loneliness, which were exacerbated by the shift to remote work during the pandemic.

  • Source: American Psychological Association (APA).

• Improved Well-being: People who feel they belong are significantly more likely to have a greater sense of well-being. A Qualtrics study found that employees who feel they belong are almost three times as likely to have a greater sense of well-being (78% versus 28%).