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Safe to stay: The role of leader behaviors and psychological safety in employee retention in high-demand workplaces

Emma Clarke et al.

German Journal of Human Resource Management2025https://doi.org/10.1177/23970022251337643article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.37

Abstract

Formal hierarchical working environments are often characterized by power dynamics and control mechanisms that can create apprehension and prevent employees from raising concerns and speaking up about critical issues. This perceived inability to voice opinions and ideas can lead to poor employee well-being, increased turnover and, ultimately, lower organizational performance. In the context of professional services firms, we investigate perceptions of leader behaviors and psychological safety and their influence on employees’ decisions to leave or stay working in their profession. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 former and current lawyers and partners in New Zealand law firms. Thematic analysis of their experiences and perspectives suggest that in firms with a climate of psychological safety where employees have access to resources that foster resilience, employees—particularly women—expressed greater desire to continue working in their high-demand roles. Employees shared stories of leaders with high emotional intelligence who encouraged authenticity in the workplace, promoting employee’s affective commitment to their organization. Further, our study highlighted differing views between lawyers and partners on the factors that influence lawyers to leave legal practice. Our findings indicate that to prevent dysfunctional turnover, organizations, leaders, and HR practitioners benefit from strategies that prioritize supporting employee resilience and create safe spaces for open dialogue.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/23970022251337643

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@article{emma2025,
  title        = {{Safe to stay: The role of leader behaviors and psychological safety in employee retention in high-demand workplaces}},
  author       = {Emma Clarke et al.},
  journal      = {German Journal of Human Resource Management},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/23970022251337643},
}

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Evidence weight

0.37

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.16 × 0.4 = 0.06
M · momentum0.53 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.