Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work
Our long-term research project is concerned with fun and humour at work and the impacts on employee happiness and well-being. In this study, we explore the relationship between workplace fun and psychological safety and their implications for a positive work context. Our research problem investigate...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Administrative Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/10/218 |
| _version_ | 1827722109732782080 |
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| author | Barbara Anne Plester Rhiannon Lloyd |
| author_facet | Barbara Anne Plester Rhiannon Lloyd |
| author_sort | Barbara Anne Plester |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Our long-term research project is concerned with fun and humour at work and the impacts on employee happiness and well-being. In this study, we explore the relationship between workplace fun and psychological safety and their implications for a positive work context. Our research problem investigates two key questions: <i>How do the experiences of psychological safety and fun at work intersect in hybrid work conditions? What are the implications for positive workplace relations?</i> We present qualitative empirical data from our in-depth, ethnographic engagement in two corporate companies. Both companies recently transitioned to hybrid work modes, providing a relevant and contemporary context for our study. Our findings are generated from our structured, thematic analysis, eliciting themes of risk during transitions, unsafe fun, safety to be yourself, and leadership implications. These themes are discussed in relation to the extant literature, and we extend both fun and psychological safety theory by identifying a circular relationship between both constructs specifically related to the modern form of hybrid work. Implications are identified along with the potential for future research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:32:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-235d39793e5b4c989e9e63cd85118767 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3387 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:32:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Administrative Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-235d39793e5b4c989e9e63cd851187672023-11-19T15:16:33ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872023-10-01131021810.3390/admsci13100218Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid WorkBarbara Anne Plester0Rhiannon Lloyd1Management & International Business Department, Business School, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New ZealandManagement & International Business Department, Business School, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New ZealandOur long-term research project is concerned with fun and humour at work and the impacts on employee happiness and well-being. In this study, we explore the relationship between workplace fun and psychological safety and their implications for a positive work context. Our research problem investigates two key questions: <i>How do the experiences of psychological safety and fun at work intersect in hybrid work conditions? What are the implications for positive workplace relations?</i> We present qualitative empirical data from our in-depth, ethnographic engagement in two corporate companies. Both companies recently transitioned to hybrid work modes, providing a relevant and contemporary context for our study. Our findings are generated from our structured, thematic analysis, eliciting themes of risk during transitions, unsafe fun, safety to be yourself, and leadership implications. These themes are discussed in relation to the extant literature, and we extend both fun and psychological safety theory by identifying a circular relationship between both constructs specifically related to the modern form of hybrid work. Implications are identified along with the potential for future research.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/10/218funpsychological safetyhybrid workhappinesshumourrisk |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Anne Plester Rhiannon Lloyd Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work Administrative Sciences fun psychological safety hybrid work happiness humour risk |
| title | Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work |
| title_full | Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work |
| title_fullStr | Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work |
| title_full_unstemmed | Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work |
| title_short | Happiness Is ‘Being Yourself’: Psychological Safety and Fun in Hybrid Work |
| title_sort | happiness is being yourself psychological safety and fun in hybrid work |
| topic | fun psychological safety hybrid work happiness humour risk |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/13/10/218 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT barbaraanneplester happinessisbeingyourselfpsychologicalsafetyandfuninhybridwork AT rhiannonlloyd happinessisbeingyourselfpsychologicalsafetyandfuninhybridwork |