Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions

Kitchen Workers Find Ingredients to Speak Up

Distressed by employees’ reluctance to speak up, members of the Los Angeles Food and Nutrition Services team took action. They participated in team-building activities, created a reward and recognition program and organized a campaign to show each other respect. Their efforts paid off: 11 of 12 measures of the People Pulse Speak Up Index showed improvement. Better yet, the team set the foundation for a workplace where employees feel free to voice their opinions and ideas — and can expect action to be taken on their input.

Here's What Worked

  • Participating in team building activities to build trust and engagement
  • Rewarding and recognizing employees for ideas and actions that contribute to the team’s work
  • Implementing quick, visible suggestions to improve the work environment

What can your team do to help employees feel safe speaking up?

 

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