Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace

Trust in the workplace is the confidence employees and leaders have that colleagues will act honestly, reliably, and in the organization’s best interest. Betrayal occurs when someone breaks that confidence by dishonesty, broken promises, or unethical behavior, leading to feelings of hurt, skepticism, and diminished collaboration. Such breaches can undermine teamwork, reduce morale, and hurt organizational culture. Restoring trust after betrayal requires transparency, accountability, and consistent positive actions. Understanding and managing trust and betrayal are crucial for maintaining a healthy, productive work environment.