Belonging

In the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we can see the growing importance of the concept of belonging. The Society for Human Resource Management (2020) states that research has shown the need to belong at work is second to the need to belong at home. I am not an expert on the topic of belonging, but it is intriguing to me. It has been brought up in some of the spaces I am in, especially at work where our Director of Health Equity has started to bring it up a lot. 

I know from my own experience I do not feel like I belong at work. I don't feel a part of what's going on. I feel like if I left no one would care or notice. I feel like the work I do isn't valued so whether I take on extra responsibility or do the bare minimum it doesn't matter. 

I asked the group I provide training supervision for "what does it feel like when you belong?". I wanted to get from their perspective what does belonging look and feel like because belonging is a feeling. The best intentioned supervisor or administrator can do a lot of things to try to make employees feel involved, but that may not get that feeling of belonging. 

Here are the responses from the group when asked about feeling like they belong. 

• Protecting the group
• Receiving and giving positive reinforcement
• Getting something out of the relationship
• Authentic relationships that allow for correction
• Accountability
• Knowing the culture
• Feeling safe

I think that last point is very salient. Feeling safe at work is a necessary first step to belonging. How do you belong without feeling safe? Maybe belonging is a long term process, so organizations should focus on helping people feel safe before they feel like they belong.