The True Cost of Employee Turnover, Disengagement, and Burnout—and How Cultivating Safe Spaces Can Help

The True Cost of Employee Turnover, Disengagement, and Burnout—and How Cultivating Safe Spaces Can Help

In every room I walk into, my first priority is this: How am I going to cultivate belonging, connection, and safety? This is more important to me than any other deliverable handed to me because I know the ripple effects of these feelings. When people feel safe and valued, they bring their full selves to the table—and that’s when real transformation happens.

But let’s face it: many organizations are struggling to cultivate these spaces, and the cost is staggering. Turnover, disengagement, and burnout aren’t just HR headaches—they’re clear signs of systems in need of repair.

At Naqsmist Storytellers Inc., we’ve seen firsthand how cultivating safe spaces transforms not just workplaces but lives. The Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) framework is a proven roadmap to help organizations move from surface-level fixes to lasting change.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Let’s break down the true costs of unsafe work environments:

1. Turnover Costs: According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), replacing an employee costs between 50–200% of their annual salary. Beyond the financial hit, frequent turnover creates instability, damages morale, and disrupts team dynamics.
2. Disengagement Costs: Gallup reports that 85% of employees worldwide are not engaged at work, costing companies an estimated $8.8 trillion annually. Disengaged employees aren’t just unproductive—they actively drain resources and team energy.
3. Burnout Costs: The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified burnout as a growing workplace crisis. In recent surveys, 42% of employees reported feeling burnt out, which leads to higher absenteeism, increased healthcare costs, and reduced performance.

Unsafe Spaces: The Root Cause

Unsafe spaces don’t just happen—they are the result of fear-based systems that prioritize control over connection. These environments silence voices, breed distrust, and erode the confidence of even the most talented team members. They force people into survival mode, where creativity, collaboration, and resilience cannot thrive.

The Solution: Cultivating Safe Spaces

The Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) framework offers a path forward, helping organizations move from fear and shame to trust, inclusion, and connection. Here’s how CSS addresses these challenges:

1. Retention Through Belonging: Employees are 87% less likely to leave when they feel a sense of belonging. CSS provides tools to create workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
2. Engagement Through Inclusion: In teams where inclusion is prioritized, organizations see a 17% increase in productivity and a 29% boost in collaboration, according to Deloitte. CSS focuses on meaningful inclusion, where all voices matter.
3. Burnout Reduction Through Resilience: CSS integrates practices like love-based decision-making, understanding self, and discipline in listening to build resilience and foster emotional safety. These tools empower teams to navigate challenges with grace and empathy.

Special Announcement: Corporate Packages Are Here!

At Naqsmist, we’re excited to announce something transformational for organizations ready to think and act different. Our Cultivating Safe Spaces Corporate Packages offer a customized roadmap for lasting change.

Whether you’re looking for foundational training or a complete organizational overhaul, our packages are designed to:

• Reduce turnover and burnout.
• Build inclusive, resilient teams.
• Align daily actions with organizational values.

This is more than just training—it’s a revolution in how we approach workplace culture.

📧 Ready to start? Email us at wynette@naqsmist.com to learn more.

A Call to Action

The true cost of unsafe spaces is too high—for people, for teams, and for organizations. But there’s a way forward. By cultivating safe spaces, we can unlock the potential of every individual and cultivate workplaces where people feel like they belong.

Let’s start this journey together. Change is tough—but with the right tools, it’s absolutely worth it.

Naqsmist isn’t just a business; it’s a call to those who dare to lead different.

Let’s lead together.