Releasing the pressure valve: Workplace relationships in a time of disruption
View Emonet XII Paper Presentation “Releasing the pressure valve: Workplace relationships in a time of disruption” by Parkinson (2020) now.
Live Paper Discussion Session Time: Thursday, 9th July 2020, UTC 10:00
Zoom Meeting ID: 989 2740 3326
Author:
Ann Parkinson, Henley Business School, University of Reading, United Kingdom
Abstract:
This research reports on research on the role of workplace relationships in supporting engagement and well-being during disruption and uncertainty. By drawing on Kahn’s personal engagement (1990) with its conditions of meaningfulness, psychological safety and availability and Kram and Isabella’s (1985) peer relationships, the research explores the relational context map to understand the importance of close work relationships. The study involved two phases, the first collecting diary entries using an app designed to record mood, interactions and feelings based on engagement in real time, the second interview phase explored workplace relationships in greater depth with 25 volunteers from the diary study. The research involved three organisations, two government departments and one utility in the run up to Brexit in early 2020 in the UK but the early findings are also relevant to the global pandemic touching everyone’s working lives, especially those working in isolation at home. They demonstrated the importance of relationships for wellbeing as well as engagement, the role of emotions in the deep sharing and acts of kindness amongst close colleagues and the need for relationship work to take place before work begins.
Contact:
Ann Parkinson, ann.parkinson@henley.ac.uk