University of Wisconsin--Stout

The purpose of this study was to determine how to gain and/or maintain employee trust within service organizations. Employee trust has become an important topic in the world of work. This research paper will take a hard look into three primary reasons for a lack of trust within the workplace. Trust-developing strategies other companies have successfully used, along with general ways to develop and/or maintain trust will be studied as well. Service organizations in the Menomonie area known for outstanding employee relations and levels of employee trust will be investigated. Along with this, the research will take a glimpse into the findings of other completed studies of the same nature. Data will be collected using a survey instrument for further information. The survey will be sent to 25 of the 79 service organizations located in the city of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Surveys not returned within the two week time period will be followed up with phone calls and/or a duplicate survey to the particular service organizations. This study begins with the belief that a lack of trust exists within an organization for numerous reasons. A lack of respect shown by upper level employees, too little information shared with the lower level employees, small amounts of employee freedom and low organizational morale/motivation are a few of the many reasons that will be explored. This study hopes to prove that an increase in the trust levels of employees will reduce turnover, increase employee productivity, create a more positive work environment, and motivate employees to truly care about the organization they are employed by.