HSE experts evaluated how cynical different employee groups appear in the workplace. This finding was shared by the university’s press office.
Sociologists and psychologists introduced the idea of organizational cynicism at the close of the 20th century. It measures the degree of distrust toward the workplace, the tasks assigned, and superiors. A negative score is typically linked with lower job satisfaction, weaker team spirit, and poorer task performance.
Researchers at the National Research University Higher School of Economics adapted the standard scale for organizational cynicism into Russian and carried out a study with it. Four hundred twenty-four participants took part, consisting of 296 women and 128 men, aged 19 to 84. The average length of work experience was about 16.8 years. The sample mainly included residents of Russia (385 individuals) and Russian-speaking respondents from other countries such as Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Indonesia.
Using this scale, the authors achieved meaningful insights and demonstrated its applicability in Russia. They also observed a link with age: on average, older employees and those with longer careers tended to report higher levels of organizational cynicism. The authors explain that as people accumulate work experience and compare different workplaces, they may become more tolerant of decisions perceived as unfair during earlier stages of their careers. This growth in tolerance can lead to less disruption by organizational events and a more restrained critical stance, sometimes accompanied by disidentification with the organization and a more critical view of ongoing practices.
The researchers hope the scale will help Russian employers better understand team dynamics, gauge trust levels, and prevent employee burnout by addressing underlying cynicism where needed.
Separately, there are notes in the wider literature about how relaxation practices can influence health in different cultural contexts, underscoring that stress management and well-being initiatives can complement organizational efforts to support staff wellbeing.