The demand to improve productivity has created a workplace environment of intense competition and increased stress for many. Paradoxically, these conditions often stymie organizational efforts to become more efficient and effective.
A new study offers a novel way to improve worker productivity — training direct supervisors to provide emotional and social support. While it may seem a common-sense notion, many employers do not train supervisors on the necessity of support or on techniques to provide assistance.
As an example, a worker might develop somatic symptoms, such as stomach aches, a headache or muscle tension from workplace stress. The symptoms may cause the individual to call in sick or even take a leave of absence.
However, when the individual’s supervisor offers emotional and social support, the employee may recover without needing to take that extra afternoon or day off.
This is the finding of a new study from the University of Haifa, soon to be published in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology.
In earlier studies, scholars have shown stress at the workplace (due to high job demands and low control) can cause workers to develop psychological strain that translates into physiological symptoms, such as headaches, stomach aches and fatigue.
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