Arbetsmiljöverket research maps silence culture in Swedish workplaces

New research from Arbetsmiljöverket has mapped the prevalence of ‘silence culture’ within Swedish workplaces. The findings, presented in three reports, indicate that silence is not merely an individual choice but is heavily influenced by organizational structures, leadership, communication, and established norms.

According to the reports, silence culture can lead to severe consequences for the work environment, including workplace accidents, bullying, and professional errors. One study involving over 7,000 employees found that the prevalence of this culture varies by industry; for instance, the hotel and restaurant sector reports significantly higher levels of silence than the legal, economic, science, and technology sectors. Additionally, younger workers (ages 16–29) report higher instances of silence compared to those aged 65 and older.

Project leader Annette Nylund emphasizes that addressing silence requires looking beyond the individual to the surrounding organization, including work distribution and leadership styles, to effectively prevent harmful silence.