New research from Cornell shows that the “voice gap”—the difference between how much influence workers want at work and how much they feel they actually have—has a big impact on job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover.

The results are clear: when workers feel unheard, they’re less satisfied, more stressed, and more likely to quit. The study also found that the voice gap is more damaging when it concerns issues like pay or working conditions—things that directly affect employees—than when it’s about broader topics like company strategy.

Feeling ignored

The researchers note that employees who feel ignored on personal matters, like wages or safety, are also more likely to support unionization as a way to have their voices heard.

“Most surveys about job quality don’t ask about workers’ influence,” the researchers explain. “Adding questions about the voice gap could help employers understand this important part of job satisfaction.”

For employers, the takeaway is simple: listening to workers is good, but acting on what they say is better. Open-door policies and feedback programs don’t help if workers feel like nothing changes. When managers ignore workers’ concerns, employees are more likely to look for other ways, including unions, to make themselves heard.

The researchers conclude with a warning: “If businesses want to keep workers happy and avoid conflict, they need to take their concerns seriously.”