Addressing Loneliness by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

Social Interaction in the Workplace

Research has emphasized the benefits of positive interpersonal relationships at work (Ragins & Dutton, 2007). For example, positive interpersonal relations at work serve a critical role in the development of trust in an organization (Pratt & Dirks, 2007) and cultivate a sense of community (Peplau, 1985). As such, work consists of more than simply technological and intellectual processes. For many, the act of ‘working’ is considered a social institution that requires the continual fostering of human cooperation (Berman, West, & Richter, 2002). Work settings can provide an environment in which an individual’s social and emotional needs are fulfilled. For instance, an employee may seek another coworker’s opinion on a complex matter or work together on a project, allowing both individuals to maintain their self-esteem and reassurance of worth. Further, a coworker may invite a colleague to lunch or acknowledge another’s achievements, which again fulfils the individual’s needs for attachment, approval, and social integration and provides a sense of belonging. However, with the increased use of virtual work and flexible employment arrangements, employees face fewer opportunities for social interactions (Ten Brummelhuis, Haar, & van der Lippe, 2010). In many respects the availability, longevity, and quality of social relationships in the workplace is diminishing, leading to a potential demise of satisfaction with relationships at work. The attention is often focused on productivity, competition, prompt decisions, deadlines, reports, and so on and less focused on the human element of organization and productivity (Riesman, 1961). This attitude toward management and organizations harks back to scientific management principles. However, we now know the need for interpersonal affiliation is an essential element for physical and psychological well-being across the lifespan, including life at work (Cacioppo, 2008; Cacioppo, Hawkley, & Bernston, 2003). Without positive interpersonal relationships, some individuals can experience loneliness at work (Wright, 2005).

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.