Psychology

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...

Is burnout the best business model?

Christina Maslach, PhD
Cristina Banks, PhD
2015

This article critically examines the "burnout shop" business model exemplified by companies like Amazon, which prioritizes worker dedication and self-sacrifice for corporate success. Dr. Cristina Banks and Dr. Christina Maslach argue that while this approach reflects American individualism, it carries significant hidden costs. They identify three main issues:

The transformation of short-term sprints into unsustainable marathons, leading to long-term health and psychological consequences. The potential for competitive feedback systems to create toxic work environments and undermine...

2023 SIOP: Making Work, Work

Dustin Maneethai, Ph.D.
Cristina Banks, PhD
Christopher J. L. Cunningham, Ph.D.
Leslie Hammer, Ph.D.
Alan Witt, PhD
2023

This presentation, led by Dustin Maneethai, Cristina G. Banks, Christopher J. L. Cunningham, Leslie Hammer, and Alan Witt, introduces a multidisciplinary approach to addressing workplace challenges and improving worker well-being. The format is inspired by the historical concept of "The Salon," encouraging open, diverse discussions to expand knowledge and thinking.

Key points:

Alan Witt discusses the importance of "place rights" and the power of physical environments in shaping work experiences. Cristina Banks emphasizes the role of I-O psychologists in building design, focusing...

2023 Work, Stress and Health Conference: New Building Design: A Total Worker Health Opportunity

Cristina Banks, PhD
Alan Witt, PhD
2023

This presentation by Cristina Banks (University of California, Berkeley) and Alan Witt (University of Houston) outlines an innovative approach to new building design that prioritizes occupant well-being and work effectiveness. The authors argue that new building projects present a unique opportunity to integrate Total Worker Health® principles from the ground up.

The presentation contrasts traditional building design processes, which often consider occupant needs late in the process, with a novel approach implemented for the Hobby School's new building. This new method involves...

2023 Work, Stress and Health Conference: Interdisciplinary Scoping Review of Literature Relating to Worker Health, Safety, and Well-Being

Cristina Banks, PhD
Alicia LaFrance, MPH, MSW
Ima Varghese Mac, BA
Patricia Iley, BA
Ed Yelin, PhD
2023
The Outreach Core of the California Labor Laboratory (CALL) undertook a scoping review of health, safety, and well-being-related literatures. This scoping review was conducted with the intent of establishing a more extensive Total Worker Health® (TWH) knowledge base from which researchers and practitioners could extend their efforts toward greater integration of TWH principles through a more robust platform of collaboration with their interdisciplinary partners. Hypothesis: Awareness and greater appreciation of the roles other disciplines can play in the development of integrated and holistic...

2023 Work Experience: It’s Not About Stuff

Cristina Banks, PhD
2023
Presentation to Workspace Oy, Helsinki, Finland, June 2023 Presentation to CoreNet Houston, Houston TX, June 2023 Presentation (virtual) to Google Workplace R&D Conference, March 2023

2023 GSA Digital Workplace

Cristina Banks, PhD
2023
Topic: What do occupants need? The Goal

“The state of positive mental, physical, and social functioning in which workers’ experiences of their work and working conditions enable them to thrive in their overall lives, contributing to their ability to achieve their full potential in their work, home, and community.”

What Supports employees doing their work well. Provides opportunities for cognitive refreshment. Provides comfortable amounts of environmental control. Supports bonding among employees. Protects employee safety and security. Provides choice in place and timing of activities...

2022 WAW: Healthy Workplaces as a Pathway Through Hectic Times

Cristina Banks, PhD
Christina Maslach, PhD
Alan Witt, PhD
Siw Tone Innstrand, PhD
Sally Augustin, PhD, MBA
Michael P. Leiter, PhD
Ragnhilk Wiik, PhD
Marit Christensen, PhD
2022
2022 Wellbeing at Work Conference Symposium: Wellbeing in Hectic Times Topic: Healthy Workplaces as a Pathway Through Hectic Times (Cristina Banks, Christina Maslach) Opening Remarks New Groundwork The Framework Why the need for an interdisciplinary approach to health, well-being, and productivity? Important Organizational Features for Health, Well-Being and Productivity (Siw Tone Innstrand, Ragnhild Wiik, Marit Christensen, Cristina Banks & Christina Maslach) Health and work cycle What creates a healthy workplace? Description of the study conducted in two countries, Norway and the US, in...