High expectations may create anxiety among workers

1/23/2012

Employers who provide an onsite clinic to their workers show that they care about the health and wellness of their staff. Employee satisfaction is a major part of holding on to valuable workers, and recent research published in the journal Human Relations suggests that employers who encourage their staff to go above and beyond what is required in their job description may see an increase in productivity, but a decrease in worker happiness.

Researchers found that excessive expectations from employers make workers feel less secure in their office environment. Furthermore, the scientists discovered that a high involvement management (HIM) style leads to greater productivity, but makes employees more anxious during their workdays.

By contrast, a structure known as enriched job design was found to be associated with greater productivity and worker satisfaction. This method encourages personal responsibility more so than team exercises, which are the cornerstone of HIM.

"The study offers further grounds for encouraging policy makers and managers to put job quality high on their agendas," said lead researcher Stephen Wood.

This suggests that employers who feel that their workers are dissatisfied may want to take a closer look at their management strategy in an effort to lower burnout rates and staff turnover.

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