A new study reveals how a common workplace practice—unstructured feedback—can unintentionally undermine employee morale and productivity. Researchers found that vague or inconsistent praise and criticism, often delivered without clear guidelines, leaves workers confused about expectations and disengaged from their roles. The findings challenge traditional open-door policies, suggesting that structured, actionable feedback may be far more effective in fostering a positive work environment. Experts argue that companies must rethink how they communicate performance expectations to avoid demotivating teams.
