Psychology

Within- and between-person changes in work practice and experiences due to COVID-19: Lessons learned from employees working from home, hybrid working, and working at the office

Siw Tone Innstrand, PhD
Marit Christensen, PhD
Cristina Banks, PhD
Karoline Grødal
2022

This study examined changes in work practices and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic using a mixed-methods approach with panel data collected twice from an insurance company in Norway.

Key findings:

Main reasons for working from home were to maintain social distance, avoid contagion, and protect loved ones. Flexibility and time savings were also motivators. Most employees reported having necessary technical equipment to work from home and wanted more opportunities for home office in the future. Work-family balance and workload were similar across age, gender, and worksites...

Toward narrowing the research-practice gap in performance appraisal

Cristina Banks, PhD
Kevin Murphy
2006

Recently, performance appraisal researchers have adopted a cognitive approach to analyzing judgment processes in performance appraisal. While this approach allows researchers to tap a wealth of knowledge applicable to the appraisal context, this line of research is likely to widen the already existing gap between research and practice. We argue that coordination of the talents of researchers and practitioners is essential for narrowing the gap. Specifically, we suggest researchers focus their research on the best methods of ensuring use of relevant and valid data in appraisal, given...

Real World Spaces and Creative Thinking

Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
Cynthia Milota, MA
Cristina Banks, PhD
2022

Neuroscientists have comprehensively assessed how design can support creative thinking, most often in studies that detail the effects of a single physical factor. Creativity-linked design elements that have been identified include colour (surface and light), visual complexity, plants in view, natural light, visible wood grain, aesthetic factors, soundscapes, comfortable environmental control, audio and visual distractions, ceiling height, opportunities for movement, access to needed tools/task support, nonverbal messages sent by a space, and chance for...

Designing Workplaces to Align with Culture(s)

Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
2022

Neuroscience studies indicate that when workplace design recognizes, reflects, and respects both users’ national and organizational cultures wellbeing and performance soar (see, for example, Veitch, 2012), but national and organizational culture are generally separately considered. The reported project integrates neuroscience research related to organizational culture, national culture, and workplace design to develop a straightforward framework that can be used in practice to create work environments that support employees as they work to their full potential within the context of their...

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...

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...