Treating Worker Dissatisfaction During Economic Change

About the Authors

Preface

Part One: Understanding and Identifying Work-Related Problems

Chapter 1. The Serious Problems in the American Workplace

Introduction

The Landscape of Work in the Current Economy

Examples of Bad workplace Experiences

A Crisis in Leadership

Ethical Issues in Managerial Practice

A Worker Reflection on an Ethical Lapse in an Organization: Dire Consequences for the Worker

How the Changing Workplace Affects Workers

The Changing Work Ethic

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 2. Understanding Job Stress, Job Dissatisfaction, and Worker Burnout

Introduction

Job Stress

Job Dissatisfaction

Worker Burnout

Ways of Determining Job Dissatisfaction and Worker Burnout: Theories X, Y, and Z

Summary

References

Further Reading

Part Two: Major Work-Related Problems that Lead to Job Dissatisfaction and Burnout

Chapter 3. Teamwork and Cooperative Work Assignments Sometimes Lead to Job Dissatisfaction

Introduction

Definitions and Discussion

What Makes Teams Work

Teamwork and Generation X Workers

Fault Lines in Teamwork that Lead to Conflict and Lowered Productivity

Does Teamwork Lead to Higher Productivity and Better Worker Performance?

Why Teams Sometimes Don’t Work

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 4. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Background of Sexual Harassment

Definition of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment during the Economic Downturn

Types of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment of Men in the Workplace

Sexual Harassment Perpetrators

Sexual Harassment and Organizations

Guidelines for a Sexual Harassment Policy in the Workplace

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 5. Workplace Diversity and Discrimination

Background of Diversity in the Workplace

Significance of Diversity During the Economic Downturn

The Cost to Workers of Discrimination in the Workplace

Employers’ Costs Related to Diversity and Discrimination in the Workplace

Harmful Management Practices in a Diverse Workplace

Best Management Practices in a Diverse Workplace

Case Examples

Implications for the Future of a Diverse Workplace

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 6. Workaholics: Understanding and Changing Work-Addicted Behavior1

Introduction

Understanding the Concept of Work Addictions

Ten Types of Workaholics

The Impact of Work Addictions on Relationships and Family Life

Changing Workaholic Behavior

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 7. Workplace Violence

Introduction

Worker to Worker Violence

Violence Threat Levels

Organizational Interventions in Workplace Problems

Counseling Workers with Potential for Workplace Violence

Workplace Violence and PTSD

Treating the Victims of Workplace Violence

Summary

References

Further Reading

Part Three: Using Human Resource and Management Approaches to Prevent Work-Related Problems

Chapter 8. Preventing Workplace Problems through Competency-Based Management

Introduction

Managerial Imperatives to Reduce Workplace Problems

Anticipating and Planning for the Future

The Six Components of Competency-Based Management

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 9. Three Primary Human Resource Functions: Hiring, In-Service Training, and Termination

Introduction

Hiring

Staff Development and In-Service Training

Termination

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 10. Competency-Based Evaluations

Introduction

Examples of Competency-Based Standards that Matter and are Measurable

Providing Feedback to Workers

Pay for Performance: Merit Pay

A Competency-Based Evaluation Scale

Summary

References

Part Four: Effective Treatment for Work-Related Problems

Chapter 11. Treating Work-Related Problems

Introduction

Life Coaching for Job Dissatisfaction

Treating Work-Related Burnout and Depression

Treating Work-Related Anxiety

Diagnosing and Treating Substance Abuse

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 12. A Quality of Life Approach to Understanding and Measuring Workplace Problems

Introduction

Definition and Background of Quality of Life

Evidence-Based Quality of Life Concepts and Measures

Workplace Quality of Life and the Economic Downturn

Displaced Workers and Subjective Well-being or Happiness

Quality of Life Therapy

Issues Related to Quality of Life Outcomes

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 13. Quality of Life Treatment and Workplace Problems

Developing Applied Quality of Life Therapy (QOLT)

Validity and Reliability of QOLT Measures

Culturally Relevant QOLT Assessment and Intervention Measures

Integrated QOLT Method and the Economic Downturn

Work Loss Circumstances and QOLT Assessment

Conceptual Domains Used in QOLT Assessment and Intervention

Future Trends for the Use of QOLT

Summary

References

Further Reading

Chapter 14. Some Final Words

Job Displacement and Working Alliances

Impact of Worker Job Displacement and Social Support

Affirming the Benefits of a Diverse Workplace

The Significance of Social and Economic “Scarring”

Summary

References

Further Reading

Appendix A. The CES-D Depression Scale—Useful in Determining Worker Burnout

Appendix B. Forced Early Retirement Stress Because of Burnout and Job Loss

Appendix C. Managing Workers Using the New Interactive Technologies

Introduction

Communicating Supervisory Interventions

Using the Internet and Interactive Technologies for Supervision

Index

In the current economy, companies are expected to turn on a dime in response to changing market needs to stay vibrant. What that means is that companies are constantly reorganizing. Employees are living in a constant state of change. This dynamic in the workplace has affected worker satisfaction, morale, and burnout. This is the first treatment manual to focus on treating job-related issues, whether it's conflict in the workplace, stress, burnout, performance, and more. Divided into two parts, Part One sets the stage with a discussion of the economic climate and how it impacts businesses, how business reacts to it, and how the new business climate affects employees. Part Two lays out the most current research on effectively treating work-related client issues. Individual, group, and organizational interventions are included, along with case examples, practical treatment exercises, checklists, and outlines for treatment.

• Summarizes how the changing workplace impacts workers
• Covers effective ways of treating and preventing worker problems
• Includes case examples of treating common workplace depression, accidents, substance abuse, violence, stress, illness, conflict, and performance
• Discusses individual, group, and organizational interventions
• Provides online exercises, checklists, evaluation formats, and outlines for treatment
• Integrates issues of diversity including race, ethnicity, age, and gender

Clinical psychologists and counselors treating employed, or a practical treatment manual for formerly employed adults.