The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Building a Win-Win Environment for Organizations and Employees

by Grawitch, Matthew J.; Ballard, David W.

• ISBN13: 9781433820526
• ISBN10: 1433820528
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2015-08-17
• Publisher: American Psychological Association

Summary

The “psychologically healthy” workplace has received much public attention in recent years. But how exactly can a psychologically healthy workplace be created and maintained? What steps can organizations take, without sacrificing the bottom line, to build a culture that optimizes long-term value for employees, management, and shareholders alike? In this book, top scholars focus on the complex interplay between employee and organizational outcomes across five key intervention areas, including:

• Employee involvement—fostering creativity and autonomy of employees, and encouraging involvement in organizational decision-making);
•Work-life balance—providing employees increased flexibility in when, where and how often they work, as well as assistance in navigating life challenges outside of work;
•Employee growth and development—career development and programs to increase competencies;
•Employee recognition—monetary and non-monetary awards in response to significant achievements; and
•Health and safety—promoting healthy behaviors alongside prevention, assessment, and treatment of potential health problems.

Author Biography

Matthew J. Grawitch, PhD, is a professor in Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies where he has held numerous positions, including chair of the Organizational Studies Program, director of the Leadership and Organizational Development master's program, associate dean of academic development, and interim dean.

Dr. Grawitch conducts most of his research in the areas of stress and the healthy workplace and currently serves as the primary research consultant to APA for its Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program. He is dedicated to bridging the gap between scientists and practitioners as it relates to developing, implementing, and evaluating programs related to workplace health and stress.

David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, is assistant executive director for organizational excellence at APA. He provides leadership, direction, evaluation, and management for all activities related to APA's Center for Organizational Excellence, which works to benefit society and improve people's lives through the application of psychology to workplace issues.

The Center houses APA's Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program (PHWP), a public education initiative designed to engage the employer community, raise public awareness about the value psychology brings to the workplace, and promote programs and policies that enhance employee well-being and organizational performance.

Dr. Ballard has provided research, consultation, and training services to government agencies, corporations, medical schools, and universities in the areas of workplace health and productivity, public health, prevention, and health care finance and has experience in management, marketing, and consumer research.

Table of Contents

Contributors

Introduction: Building a Psychologically Healthy Workplace
Matthew J. Grawitch and David W. Ballard

1. Employee Involvement: Research Foundations
   George S. Benson and Edward E. Lawler III
2. Employee Involvement: Practitioner Perspectives
   Steve Gravenkemper
3. Employee Growth and Development: Cultivating Human Capital
   Eduardo Salas and Sallie J. Weaver
4. Employee Growth and Development: Perspectives From the Field
   Ron Drew Stone
5. Work–Life Balance: Contemporary Perspectives
   Larissa K. Barber, Matthew J. Grawitch, and Patrick W. Maloney
6. Work–Life Balance: Perspectives From the Field
   Cali Williams Yost, Donna Miller, and Joanne Spigner
7. You Get What You Reward: A Research-Based Approach to Employee Recognition
   Bob Nelson
8. Employee Recognition: Perspectives From the Field
   Roy Saunderson
9. Health and Safety: Prevention and Promotion
   Lois E. Tetrick and José M. Peiró
10. Health and Safety: Perspectives From the Field
    Rebecca K. Kelly and Melondie Carter

Concluding Remarks — Into the Future
David W. Ballard and Matthew J. Grawitch

Index

About the Editors