Advisor

Workplace Technology that Promotes Health and Well-Being

Cristina Banks, PhD
Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
2021

We ask the question: "Which in-workplace technologies actually support employee health and well-being in concrete and impactful ways, and which technology does not?” We focus on how technology can support health and well-being in general and in particular, reduce the likelihood of employee burnout. Our assessment based on criteria derived from studies showing that basic human need satisfaction underlies health, well-being, and productivity (Maslach & Banks, 2017; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ayoko & Ashkanasy, 2020) and can build resilience to burnout (Maslach & Leiter, in...

Designing to Beat Burnout and Encourage Engagement

Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
2020

This paper explores the critical role of workplace design in mitigating employee burnout and fostering engagement. The authors argue that by focusing on the six burnout predictors identified by Maslach (2017) - workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values - workplace design can create conditions that reduce the likelihood of burnout and enhance engagement.

The study synthesizes research from various disciplines, including human factors and ergonomics, environmental psychology, and organizational behavior, to provide a comprehensive framework for designing workplaces...

2020 EHF: Interdisciplinary Solutions to Complex Problems: Going to Mars

Cristina Banks, PhD
Kathleen Mosier, PhD
Andrew S. Imada
Kriss J. Kennedy
Christopher Miller
2020

This article explores the critical role of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HF/E) in addressing the complex challenges of long-duration space exploration, particularly for the planned mission to Mars. The interdisciplinary nature of HF/E makes it uniquely suited to tackle the multifaceted issues involved in spacecraft habitat design and crew well-being.

There are various environmental, technological, psychosocial, and team factors that pose significant risks to astronauts during extended space missions. These include physical constraints of the habitat, physiological effects of space...

Psychological Connections with Work

Christina Maslach, PhD
Cristina Banks, PhD
2017

This chapter explores the psychological aspects of the worker-job relationship, covering:

Historical context: Evolution from scientific management to modern theories of motivation and wellbeing Shift from "fitting the person to the job" to "fitting the job to the person" Key psychological constructs in the workplace: Core needs: autonomy, belongingness, competence Additional factors: positive emotions, psychological safety, fairness, meaning Main arguments: Satisfaction of fundamental psychological needs is crucial for: Worker wellbeing Positive organizational outcomes Empirical...

Wage and hour litigation

Cristina Banks, PhD
Chester Hanvey, PhD
2015

This chapter provides an overview of wage and hour litigation in the United States, with a focus on how industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology methods can be applied in these cases.

Key topics covered:

Relevant federal and state laws regarding overtime exemptions, independent contractor status, off-the-clock work, and meal/rest breaks Common types of wage and hour violations and allegations Methodologies used by I-O psychologists to analyze jobs and collect data in wage and hour cases, including job analysis questionnaires, observations, structured...

Do Healthy Workplaces Matter to Employees?

Cristina Banks, PhD
Alan Witt, PhD
2021

This article discusses the challenges of returning to the workplace post-pandemic and argues for the creation of healthy workplaces.

Key points:

Context: High rates of employee resignations and increased demands for health, safety, and well-being guarantees from employers. Reasons for quitting: Commute, loss of autonomy, poor organizational culture, job strain, and inequitable treatment. Changing expectations: Led by millennials, employees across generations are seeking better work-life balance and more fulfilling work experiences. Need for change: Employers...

Hot Desking? Now?

Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
2021

This article examines the challenges of implementing hot-desking as employees return to offices following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key points:

Context: Employees face stress from returning to offices and adapting to new health protocols. Hot-desking definition: A system where employees choose workstations daily rather than having assigned spaces. Psychological impact: Hot-desking can be stressful for employees, conflicting with the human need for a stable, personalized workspace. Potential drawbacks: Difficulty locating teammates Challenges with storing personal...

Leveraging healthy workplaces as a strategic benefit

Cristina Banks, PhD
Alan Witt, PhD
2021

This article argues for the strategic importance of creating healthy workplaces as a non-monetary benefit.

Key points:

Historical context: The article traces the evolution of workplace design from scientific management to the quality of work life movement, highlighting the neglect of human motivation in traditional approaches. Definition of healthy workplaces: A holistic approach that combines both physical and behavioral environments to support employee health, well-being, and productivity. Seven primary human needs: The authors identify autonomy, belongingness...

Health, Safety, Well-Being and Economic Security Implications of Gig Work: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Cristina Banks, PhD
2019

This article explores the complex implications of gig work on workers' health, safety, well-being, and economic security.

Key points:

The need for interdisciplinary approaches to address worker health, safety, well-being, and economic security issues. Definition of gig work as contingent work arrangements facilitated by digital platforms. Pros of gig work: flexibility, autonomy, and quick start-up. Cons of gig work: lack of employment benefits, civil rights protections, and economic uncertainties. Health and safety risks: job stressors, sedentary behavior,...

Why design for wellness?

Cristina Banks, PhD
2018

This article argues for the importance of designing workplaces with employee wellness in mind.

Key points:

The human cost of poor working conditions is often invisible but substantial, with research suggesting workplace stressors contribute to excess deaths and significant healthcare costs. Employee health and productivity are intrinsically linked through the "performance equation": performance = f(ability × motivation). Workplace conditions that compromise health affect both ability and motivation. There are seven "enablers" of need satisfaction that can be...