Organizational Wellness

An Actionable Guide to Building Trust in the Workplace

Last Updated Mar 13, 2025

Time to read: 12 minutes

Your quarterly marketing report is due tomorrow by COB. You're waiting on a few numbers from a colleague so you can finalize it, but you notice they've left for the day. Unfortunately, this isn't a one-time occurrence — your report was late last quarter because you were waiting on their input. You decide to dive into the data yourself and settle in for a long night, finally finishing up around 10 PM.

Then, your colleague presents you with the data first thing in the morning the following day. "I'm so sorry I didn't get this to you last night," they say. "My daughter had a sports accident, and I had to leave to take her to the hospital. But you should have everything now to submit the report on time!"

This all could have been avoided if you trusted that your team mate would get you the numbers on time. Mistrust and miscommunication between colleagues can lead to needless worry and extra work, resulting in understandable frustration. If you see the signs of dwindling trust in the workplace, take action quickly to avoid its spread.

Key Components of Building Workplace Trust

Wellhub’s research shows that nearly 100% of employees say workplace relationships are essential to their overall wellbeing. But when trust is missing—whether it’s in getting the job done, being transparent, or offering support—those relationships can quickly unravel. To build a workplace where trust thrives, here are the key elements that make all the difference.

Honesty and Transparency

Embracing trust in the workplace starts with developing an atmosphere of honesty and transparency. Try encouraging management to set the tone by keeping workers informed of what's going on in the company. For instance, if you've achieved record sales, you'll likely share the fantastic news with employees immediately. But if you're just as likely to share negative news, too, employees may feel you're being upfront and honest about what's happening with the business.

Communication and Feedback

A workplace that regularly solicits employee feedback and encourages workers to share their opinions — even if they don't align with management's or other team members — may foster greater trust in the workplace environment. You might encourage communication and feedback through informal group meetings, anonymous surveys, and one-on-one employee check-ins.

Reliability and Consistency

Trusting relationships aren't instantaneous. People develop trust when they see consistency in the actions of those around them. Managers may demonstrate reliability by following through on their commitments and expecting the same from their team. Simple things like showing up for work on time, meeting deadlines, and taking action on workplace "asks" may inspire employees to adopt the same principles, increasing trust in the workplace.

Respect and Empathy

Not everyone shares the same viewpoints. Differences in opinion can lead to disagreements when employees view a situation through the lens of their own experiences. When workplace disagreements arise, try demonstrating respect and empathy for others who don't share your opinions. Something as simple as asking them to explain their thoughts or beliefs can help avoid misunderstandings and lead to a fair resolution. It also demonstrates empathy for their position, building trust among teammates.

Competence and Expertise

Employees expect their managers to know their jobs. If leaders can't handle their tasks and consistently look to their staff for help, it undermines employee's trust in their capabilities. A capable leader may inspire workers to improve their skills and eventually earn a promotion. Likewise, managers want employees to provide quality work. When leaders and workers put their best efforts into their jobs, it builds trust since they can rely on each other for a positive outcome.

Actionable Strategies for Building Trust

If your workplace could use a boost in trust between employees and management, having an action plan can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help strengthen trust across your team.

Lead by Example

Employees naturally look to supervisors, managers, and executives who set the overall tone for the organization. If your leadership team doesn't demonstrate elements of trust — reliability, respect, competence, transparency, and communication — your employees may mirror their actions. That can quickly lead to a collapse in workplace trust among the entire team.

You may avoid this situation by encouraging leadership to act in a way that inspires workplace trust. Consider holding a leadership workshop or training session so managers and supervisors understand why workplace trust is so important and what they can do to facilitate it. When leaders have a foundation for building trust in the workplace, they can recognize the actions that encourage it and avoid those that hamper it.

Promote Open Communication

Think back to the last time you disagreed with a family member or partner. Your close relationship might have made sharing your frustrations and resolving the conflict easier. The same principle applies in workplace environments. When leaders, colleagues, and employees have solid bonds, they're less likely to avoid confronting each other about disagreements since they know they can probably work things out.

To encourage an environment that supports open communication, try making it a part of everyone's routine. You might schedule a weekly departmental meeting to discuss company goals and ask employees to suggest ways to meet them. Alternatively, ask employees to provide anonymous feedback about the workplace. When workers see you value their input, they may be more willing to offer it — resulting in more workplace trust.

Empower Employees

Micromanaging is a relatively common workplace phenomenon that doesn't bode well for employee trust. The stereotypical micromanager constantly points out minor errors in their workers' output, eventually diminishing their desire to perform. Micromanaging may occur when leaders aren't confident in their employee's ability to do their jobs.

One way to overcome the pitfalls of micromanaging is employee empowerment. If workers aren't delivering the work you expect, prioritize their development. Try setting aside time to show them the ropes and provide specific guidance. The more feedback and encouragement employees receive, the better positioned they are to build their skills, reducing the need for micromanagement.

Recognize and Reward

Going above and beyond in the workplace shows employees value their role and want the best for their company. Recognizing them is a great way to reciprocate their efforts and show appreciation. It's easy, too. Something as simple as a personal thank you note or a token gift can make their day while building trust.

Try making recognition a regular part of your workplace. You might host a monthly meeting to recognize top performers and thank them for their contributions. You can also encourage spontaneous recognition so it becomes embedded in the company culture.

Address Conflicts Constructively

Workplace disagreements will happen, but how management addresses them can make a big difference. Consider holding leadership training events so managers can learn how to resolve conflicts without losing trust. Effective constructive resolution methods include open dialogue, compromise, and collaboration.

Team Building Activities

Too often, workers get used to diving into their tasks with little time to spare to cultivate workplace relationships. You can change that by scheduling regular team-building activities for employees. A group lunch or trip to the local escape room allows employees to get to know one another away from workplace stresses.

You can do team-building activities as frequently as you like. For instance, try holding a 10-minute mindfulness exercise before a weekly team meeting but schedule longer monthly events. As employees strengthen their bonds, workplace trust improves.

Team Building Activities for Building Trust in the Workplace

Building trust in the workplace doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the most effective trust-building activities are often the simplest. The key is consistency. Small, everyday actions can create a culture where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered. Here are some easy but impactful ways to foster trust. Choose activities that fit your team’s vibe and integrate them regularly. Over time, you’ll create a culture of openness, respect, and genuine connection.

Two Truths and a Lie

A classic icebreaker! Each team member shares two true statements and one lie about themselves, and the rest of the group guesses which one is false. This builds personal connections and encourages open communication.

Trust Falls—but Make It Verbal

Instead of the physical version, try a “trust circle” where each person shares a time they had to rely on a teammate. This reinforces the idea that support is always available.

Workstyle Speed Dating

Pair employees up for five-minute conversations about their work styles, communication preferences, and biggest workplace pet peeves. Then, switch partners! This quick exercise helps teams understand each other better, reducing friction in collaborations.

Compliment Chain

Each person shares a genuine appreciation for another teammate, then that person passes it on. It’s a feel-good exercise that promotes positivity and recognition.

Blindfolded Obstacle Course

In pairs, one person is blindfolded while the other guides them through a simple obstacle course using only verbal instructions. This strengthens trust and active listening.

Problem-Solving Challenge

Give teams a fun challenge—like building the tallest tower with office supplies or solving a riddle together. This encourages teamwork and creative thinking.

Rose, Thorn, Bud

At the end of a meeting or week, have each person share:

Rose (a highlight or win)
Thorn (a challenge)
Bud (something they’re excited about)

This promotes honesty and vulnerability in a safe space.

Lunch & Learn Sessions

Have team members take turns sharing something they’re passionate about—work-related or personal. It builds connections beyond day-to-day tasks.

Random Acts of Kindness Challenge

Create a challenge where team members anonymously do kind things for each other—like leaving a positive note or grabbing an extra coffee. A small gesture can go a long way in building trust!

Escape Room(Virtualor In-Person)

Working together under pressure to solve a challenge is a great way to foster collaboration and trust in a fun, low-stakes setting.

Examples of Building Trust in the Workplace

Building trust in the workplace happens through everyday actions, not just team activities. It’s about consistency, transparency, and support. Here are some real-world examples of how trust is built in a professional setting:

Leading by Example

A manager openly admits a mistake and shares how they’re correcting it.
A team lead follows the same policies they expect others to follow, like sticking to deadlines or company values.

Keeping Commitments

A colleague promises to send a report by Friday and follows through without being reminded.
A leader schedules weekly check-ins and always shows up, proving they value their team’s time.

Open Communication

A supervisor gives honest feedback while also asking for input on how they can improve.
A teammate speaks up when they need help instead of silently struggling.

Recognizing and Appreciating Others

A manager highlights an employee’s contribution in a team meeting.
A coworker sends a quick thank-you email for a job well done.

Providing Support in Difficult Situations

A colleague steps in to help when someone is overwhelmed with work.
A leader backs up their team when they face challenges, rather than placing blame.

Encouraging Psychological Safety

A team member shares a new idea without fear of judgment.
Employees feel comfortable admitting when they don’t know something or need guidance.

Respecting Boundaries

A manager respects an employee’s decision to log off at the end of the workday.
A coworker checks in before assigning last-minute tasks to see if the other person has bandwidth.

Transparency in Decision-Making

A leadership team explains why a policy change is happening and how it affects employees.
A manager updates their team about company goals and progress regularly.

Encouraging Collaboration Over Competition

Team members share resources and help each other succeed rather than hoarding information.
Employees celebrate each other’s wins rather than seeing them as threats.

Giving Trust to Receive Trust

A leader allows employees to take ownership of projects without micromanaging.
A company offers flexible work arrangements, trusting employees to get their work done.

Trust is built through actions, big and small. The more consistently these behaviors show up in your workplace, the stronger the trust among your team. Which of these do you see in your workplace already?

How to Address Breaches of Trust

In your effort to build workplace trust, you may encounter a few challenges. Try these tips to resolve situations so your team can grow stronger together.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Breach

If you betray someone else's trust at work, it's important not to let it go. Instead, consider admitting the breach occurred, address whatever happened, and show you understand how it impacted others. Your acknowledgment can go a long way to resolving the issue.

Step 2:Take Corrective Action

When a breach of trust occurs, it is essential to make amends quickly. A quick apology will probably suffice for minor breaches, like showing up five minutes late to work. However, more extensive breaches might require a constructive plan of action to prevent reoccurrence.

Step 3: Rebuild Trust Over Time

Building workplace trust is an ongoing process that requires commitment from everyone, from executives to staff. If a breach happens, rebuilding lost trust takes time and effort. You can foster a trusting environment by following through on commitments, maintaining transparency, and regularly seeking feedback from teammates.

Developing Workplace Trust Is Essential for a Healthy Workplace

Employees who trust their employers and colleagues deliver more—more engagement, more productivity, and more results. Building that trust is a win-win, leading to a workplace where employees are motivated to give their best. By taking steps to foster trust, you’ll create a healthier, happier environment where everyone thrives.

Another key to boosting employee wellbeing is through wellness programs that meet their unique needs. A holistic wellness program empowers employees to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing with personalized options, from gym memberships to mindfulness resources.

If you'd like to improve workplace satisfaction among your employees, speak to a Wellhub wellbeing specialist about wellness benefits today! We offer several wellness benefit programs that can enhance employee happiness and fulfillment.

Company healthcare costs drop by up to 35% with Wellhub*

See how we can help you reduce your healthcare spending.

Talk to a Wellbeing Specialist

[*] Based on proprietary research comparing healthcare costs of active Wellhub users to non-users.