The way employees understand their employment contract with their employers is influenced by a number of factors that need not be written in the contract itself. There are a set of beliefs based on reciprocal obligations that employees perceive to exist between their employers and themselves otherwise known as a “psychological contract.” This write-up sheds some light on the concept of a psychological contract and how it impacts the performance of employees and organizations as a whole.
Generally, studies conducted on the subject suggest that when the expectations and beliefs of employees are met by the employer, the employee reciprocates by exhibiting a positive attitude toward their work. On the other hand, when employees perceive their expectations in the employment relationship are being breached or violated, such as in the event of a promotion or raise or lack thereof, they respond with a poor work attitude that negatively affects the overall performance of the organization.
Transforming human resources to gain and maintain a competitive advantage based on a positive employer-employee relationship remains a fundamental challenge of employers in recent times. Consequently, human resource scholars and business leaders consider the psychological contract (PC) a vital framework by which the relationship between the employer and the employee can be better understood. Thus, although unwritten, the set of beliefs that an employee holds regarding the terms and conditions of their mutual agreement with the employer are shaped by human resource management practices such as rewards, training, and development that, when well-managed, help to minimize labor conflict issues and build trust.
As interesting as this may sound, not many organizations take the expectations of employees as seriously as those of their customers. For instance, some HR scholars have identified that fulfilled expectations of rewards and compensation systems act as a means of motivation, and this directly impacts performance and enhances the employer-employee relationship. However, others are of the view that businesses are being shortchanged and may not get commensurate value from any rewards given to employees. With this in mind, it is wise to research psychological contracts from many perspectives.
The Concept Of The Psychological Contract
One of the foremost definitions of the psychological contract is given by Levinson et al. (1962) simply as a reciprocal or symbiotic relationship that exists between employees and their employers. Rousseau (1995-2011) provides a contemporary definition of psychological contracts as an implicit set of beliefs perceived by an individual and fashioned by an organization regarding expectations and obligations held by both the employee and employer. Thus, psychological contracts, although intangible, form the basis for an important exchange for the employee-employer relationship that hinges on reciprocity and trusts. The history of the psychological contract is broadly categorized into two eras: the pre-Rousseau (1989) era and the work done by Rousseau regarding re conceptualization to date (Conway et al., 2014).
Themes Of The Psychological Contract
Rousseau is credited not only for shedding more light on the formation, fulfillment, and violation process of the psychological contract but also for further classifying the psychological contract into two types: relational (intrinsic) and transactional (extrinsic).
Typologies Of The Psychological Contract
Transactional contracts are based on economic exchange relationships and since they are narrow in scope, they are expected to be more static. For instance, the high pay rate specified in a job contract may be exchanged for hard work. In contrast, relational contracts tend to be unspecified in terms of time frame and can be subjective and highly dynamic because they are intrinsic in nature based on perceptions.
Models And Theories Regarding The Psychological Contract
HR partners and researchers over the years have developed and continue to make use of theories like the social exchange, cognitive dissonance, and perceived organizational theories, among others, to better explain what, why, and how the concept of the psychological contract impacts the employee-employer relationship and organizations at large.
Making use of the cognitive dissonance theory, employees tend to reduce positive work attitudes as a result of a mental interpretation of a breach in the psychological contract. This is because employees have formulated a mental contract based on the promises made by the employer. As such, any breach causes cognitive dissonance as far the employee is concerned, and this inhibits the tendency to exhibit a desirable work attitude or behavior and vice versa.
Also, according to social exchange theory, an employee will continue in an employment relationship if the outcome is rewarding compared to the cost. Thus, positive social exchanges promote positive work behaviors and attitudes, and this comes into play when organizations show concern for their employees and vice versa. In line with this assertion is the perceived organizational support theory that suggests that employees form beliefs regarding the extent to which they are cared for or valued by their employers.
Employee motivation is defined as that which inspires workers of an organization to give out their best behavior in relation to work output and exceed their limits to attain the overall objective of an organization.
The link between reward and motivation is established by defining reward and compensation as both monetary (transactional) and non-monetary (relational) inducement provided to employees within an organization for work done. This system of reward and compensation acts as a major factor that underscores the entire employment relationship.
Author:
Phidelia Johnson is a global Human Resources Practitioner with eighteen years of leadership success. With a focus on streamlining Human Resources administration, she’s well-equipped to find the right solution to a myriad of concerns. Her experience as a commercial business leader gives her a unique ability to advocate for both the employer and the employee.
In her down time, Phidelia is a master of her kitchen, creating wonderful dishes filled with passion and flavor. If she’s not cooking delicious food, she’s stretched out with a good book. She hopes to use her experience to help others, guide company leaders to best practices, and help build better professionals and stronger organizations.