Question 1

What is the psychological contract?

Accepted Answer

The set of unwritten, informal mutual expectations and obligations between an employee and employer, covering things like fairness, growth opportunity, and loyalty, that exist alongside the formal employment contract.

Question 2

Why does breaking an unwritten expectation feel worse than a formal policy issue?

Accepted Answer

Because it strikes at a sense of fairness and reciprocity rather than a specific contractual term, which tends to damage trust more severely and durably than a comparable formal dispute.

Question 3

How can a psychological contract violation be prevented?

Accepted Answer

By making key expectations explicit rather than assumed, both during hiring and throughout the employment relationship, so misunderstandings are less likely to develop into perceived violations.

Question 4

What should I do if I feel my psychological contract has been violated?

Accepted Answer

Distinguish whether it reflects a genuine breach or an assumption that was never actually shared, and raise the specific issue directly rather than allowing withdrawn trust to persist silently.

Psychological Contract: The Unwritten Deal Behind Your Job