Safety communication, well-being, and dignity — creating effective communication at work through physical, psychological, and emotional safety

Introduction
Effective safety communication supports worker well-being and ultimately our sense of dignity. Good communication goes beyond what and how we communicate. It also considers where we communicate, not only the physical environment, but also the psychological and emotional environment.

Methods
When we invite workers to share their personal knowledge in the workplace and participate in developing their work environment, we demonstrate dignity and respect for each worker. In this environment, workers bring their values, passions, and insights, all of which contribute to people’s experience of work and the quality of their work. Traditional approaches to safety focus upon intellectual and technological solutions to promote physical safety and protect the body. But all of us are more than our minds and bodies. To promote the total well-being of each worker, we must engage the entire person. Beyond physical safety, we need to provide psychological safety and emotional safety for each worker. A well-crafted message within a well-designed physical workplace provides little help if workers are distracted by an emotionally threatening or psychologically negative work environment.

Results
Management styles that successfully engage the entire person invite each worker to participate in creating their own work environment. Workers’ personal ownership, investment, and creativity builds greater focus, decreases stress, and ultimately promotes well-being and personal dignity.

Discussion
Dignity arises when our work provides an opportunity to express and communicate who we are. Indeed, work is one way that we bring ourselves to the world. As humans, we reside in our knowledge — knowledge of who we are and what we know to be true. This knowledge contributes directly to our work and our environment. Through examples in media, leadership, and behavioral research, we will explore communications and work practices that engage well-being and dignity as in integral part of work and life.