The importance of trust
A project on Human Factors looked at pilot mental health with a focus on support systems offered by airlines. I pilots in Europe, North America and the Middle East were surveyed, and one of the questions asked was: ‘I feel confident that the emotional support system offered by my organisation is confidential and that my utilising it would not impact my position with the company.’ The majority (56%) of the respondents indicated that they disagreed or strongly disagreed. It may be argued that this finding in an area which should be cloaked in confidentiality highlights an underlying lack of trust inside our industry worldwide. So why does that matter? Because trust and just culture are fundamental pillars in fostering a positive safety culture, and neither can function without the other! Trust forms the foundation for open communication, collaboration, and accountability. When trust is present, employees feel empowered to speak up about safety concerns and actively engage in safety initiatives. In addition, trust fosters an environment where individuals believe in the collective commitment to safety, leading to increased transparency, effective risk mitigation, and a proactive approach to preventing accidents. A just culture builds on trust and emphasises fairness, accountability, and learning […]