If they can do it, so can I: When vicarious experiences of coworker voice create a spiral of voice

This study examines how vicarious experiences of voice, i.e., observing or hearing about coworkers’ voice experiences, can affect worker voice, i.e., expressing dissatisfaction about a work-related issue. Using data of 829 Dutch workers, the authors find that vicarious experiences of supervisor support of coworker voice are positively related to voice efficacy and perceived supervisor responsiveness. Conversely, vicarious experiences of supervisor suppression of coworker voice are associated with lower levels of perceived supervisor responsiveness. Furthermore, the authors find that workers’ voice efficacy is positively related to worker voice. These vicarious learning effects show how voice can spill over to other actors within an organization.