Replying to LO28367 --
Thank you for your thoughts, Alan.
Your discussion on stress reminded me of something I saw recently in a
local newspaper. There was a large article on several local companies
(who frequently get good PR from the papers, which we'll not get into
here) who provide "stress management" activities for their employees.
Things like yoga classes, teaching relaxation techniques, etc.
I know that many people find great relief from these kinds of activities.
What struck me, though, was the focus on helping workers deal with their
stress once it occurred, rather than focusing on the workplace conditions
that were causing or contributing to that stress (e.g., the lack of
control mentioned by Alan).
So while these companies were being held up as exemplars of a healthy work
culture, it really seemed to me they were just putting a new cover on an
old book -- when there is a problem (stressed employees who cost the
company), look for what it will take to "fix" the people (that old deficit
approach to people, this time by way of stress reduction techniques)
rather than looking for where the problem is in the work system that is
feeding the stress.
Any insights into why so many managers and companies want always to fix
the person rather than fixing the problem?
Terri Deems
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