Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "What makes people feel at home at the working place", the main reason why I choose that topic because not everyone can detect what makes them comfortable at the working place, The feeling of "betah" (comfort and contentment) in the workplace is known in psychology by the term Employee Retention, which is closely linked to Employee Engagement.
Psychologically, a high salary often only prevents someone from "leaving" but is not enough to make them feel "betah" (comfortable and enthusiastic). The feeling of betah arises when humans' basic psychological needs are met.
Here is a psychological breakdown of what truly makes someone "betah or comfort" at work:
1. Self-Determination Theory
This is the "cornerstone" of modern work psychology. According to this theory, a person will naturally feel betah if their three innate needs are fulfilled:
- Autonomy: A sense of having control. Employees feel trusted to arrange their own work methods, rather than being dictated every step of the way (micromanagement).
- Competence: A feeling of "I'm good at this". Employees feel their work is challenging but still manageable, and that their skills are growing, not stagnant.
- Relatedness: A sense of belonging. This is often translated as a "family-like" culture in Indonesia. Employees feel cared for as people, not just as company assets.
2. Psychological Safety
Popularized by Harvard's Amy Edmondson, this concept is a key factor in mental comfort:
- Definition: Employees feel safe to express opinions, ask questions, or even make mistakes without fear of being embarrassed, punished, or seen as stupid by superiors and colleagues.
- Impact: If someone has to constantly "wear a mask" or fear speaking up every day, their mental energy will be exhausted (burnout) and they will not feel betah.
3. Job Embeddedness
Psychology also views betah as how strong the "spider's web" is that ties someone to their position. There are three elements:
- Fit: The employee's personal values align with the company culture. Example: A laid-back person will not feel betah in a very rigid/bureaucratic company.
- Links: Having a "Work Bestie" or close friend at the office. Research shows that having one close friend at work is one of the strongest predictors of someone staying long-term.
- Sacrifice: The perception that "if I move, I will lose many non-material things" (such as a fun team, an understanding boss, or flexible working hours).
4. Perceived Equity
Humans have a highly sensitive sense of fairness. The feeling of betah can disappear instantly if there is inequality:
- Distributive Justice: Is my salary/bonus fair compared to colleagues with the same workload?
- Procedural Justice: Are rules enforced evenly? Are promotions given transparently or based on favoritism?
5. Meaningfulness
Psychologist Victor Frankl emphasized that humans are driven by the search for meaning. A person will feel betah—even in a very heavy job—if they feel their work is important and makes an impact.
- Example: A customer service representative will feel more betah if they see their work as "helping people in need" rather than just "handling complaints".
Summary: The "comfortable" Triangle meaning
Simply put, a person will feel comfortable if they can say:
- "I am safe here." (Psychological Safety)
- "I am valuable here." (Recognition & Meaning)
- "I have a future here." (Growth & Competence)