Discussion
dq 1Resistance to Change (graded)CLASS…here is our case study on change for this week. Although a simple example of a change initiative gone wrong, it offers us many lessons to explore the full spectrum of change management issues. Focus all your efforts on this case study this week! I look forward to your comments and analysis in the threads. Note: I will add further topics related to resistance and change as the week unfolds. dq 2Stress Management + Performance Management (graded)Currently, a quarter of all employees view their jobs as the
number one stressor in their lives, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization describes stress as the
“global health epidemic of the 21st century.” Many of us now work in constantly
connected, always-on, highly demanding work cultures where stress and the risk
of burnout are widespread.
This is a problem that costs U.S. businesses significant
losses in terms of productivity, increases in worker’s compensation claims,
increased turnover, and increased health-care costs. Workers will experience job stress at some
point in their lives. But what effect does it have on our health? According to
new research, work stress damages our health just as much as exposure to
secondhand cigarette smoke. See
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/299142.php and here.
The effects of stress exist on a bell curve (see Video Here ) — that is, some is good, but too
much becomes bad: As the nervous system secretes more and more stress hormones,
performance increases, but up to a point; after that tipping point, performance
begins to suffer as the hormones continue to flow. Because stress is a threat
to productivity and employee well-being, it is important we spend some time on
this topic this week.
Review the chapter reading on stress. Complete the attached
stress self-assessment. Sharing your results with the class is optional.
Let’s begin our discourse on stress management by starting
with Case 5 in our textbook (copy resides in doc sharing).
Mid-Week we shift our focus to performance management in
Chapter 17.
