Perceived Micromanagement, Psychological Safety and Employee Well-Being: A Small-Scale Exploratory Survey-Based Study

Shahed Aladwan; Szabolcs Fekete

doi:10.61177/HISZ.2026.17.1.9

Authors

Shahed Aladwan social worker, University of Pécs https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4502-7831 (unauthenticated)
Szabolcs Fekete assistant professor, University of Pécs https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8640-2494 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61177/HISZ.2026.17.1.9

Keywords:

micromanagement, psychological safety, employee well-being, supervisory authority, workplace autonomy, leadership, organizational behavior

Abstract

This article examines perceived micromanagement, psychological safety, supervisory authority, and employee well-being through a small-scale exploratory questionnaire study. The analysis is based on a cross-sectional online survey completed by 71 participants. Its purpose is descriptive and interpretive rather than confirmatory: formal statistical modelling and standalone qualitative analysis fall outside the scope of the present manuscript. The survey responses indicate that stronger and more intrusive supervisory control was often reported together with lower psychological safety, reduced autonomy, weaker employee voice, and less favourable work-related well-being. At the same time, the article keeps a clear distinction between close supervision and micromanagement. Supervision was described as less problematic when it was task-relevant, predictable, proportionate, and experienced as supportive rather than distrustful. The study contributes to discussions on leadership, authority, and employee well-being by clarifying how necessary managerial oversight may differ from autonomy-reducing control. Its main value lies in formulating cautious, survey-based observations and identifying directions for future research with larger samples, validated instruments, and fuller statistical reporting.

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