Trust: Overcoming the reluctance of employees to make discretionary efforts for the benefit of the organisation

Discretionary effort by employees is a vital input to organisations because managers cannot specify in an employment contract all of the demands they will place on employees. To encourage this discretionary effort, organisations need to create an appropriate environment and shared mindset where employees are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills with others for the benefit of the organisation.Trust is the essential element in discretionary effort (Sharkie, 2007) and the level of trust is decided in a context where the traditional employment relationship, incorporating long term security, commitment and reciprocity, has been replaced by a psychological contract with a high level of precariousness (Capelli, 1999). For employees who now perceive a greater level of precariousness in their employment relationship, discretionary effort is likely to be moderated by the level of perceived organisational support and the perceptions of trust in management.