Work Attitudes: How can one be happier at work
Talya Bauer and Berrin Erdogan
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Learning Objectives
Identify the major work attitudes that affect work behaviors
List the key set of behaviors that matter for organizational performance
Understand the link between work attitudes and ethics
Understand cross-cultural differences in job attitudes and behaviors at work
Chapter 4 Individual Attitudes and Behaviors
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Work Attitudes
OB Toolbox
How Can You Be Happier at Work?
Positive Work Attitudes
Personality
Person-Environment Fit
Job Characteristics
Psychological Contract
Organizational Justice
Work Relationships
Stress
Work-Life Balance
Job Satisfaction
Organizational Commitment
Assessing Work Attitudes in the Workplace
The SAS Institute is a leader in the art of treating employees well. The privately owned software company headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, is famous for its free medical care, sports facilities, subsidized on-site child care, flexible work hours, and true dedication to work life balance.
Assessing Work Attitudes in the Workplace
- What is the difference between job satisfaction and organizational commitment? Which do you think would be more strongly related to turnover?
- Do you think making employees happier at work is a good way of motivating people? When would high satisfaction not be related to high performance?
- In your opinion, what are the three most important factors that make people dissatisfied with their job? What are the three most important factors relating to organizational commitment?
- How important is pay in making people attached to a company and making employees satisfied?
- Do you think younger and older people are similar in what makes them happier at work and committed to their companies? Do you think there are male-female differences? Explain your answer.
Discussion
Work Behaviors
Factors That Have the Strongest Influence Over Work Behaviors
Note: Negative relationships are indicated with (-)
| Job Performance | Citizenship | Absenteeism | Turnover |
| General mental abilities | Treatment at work | Health problems | Poor performance |
| How we are treated at work | Personality | Work/life balance issues | Positive work attitudes (-) |
| Stress | Positive work attitudes | Positive work attitudes (-) | Stress |
| Positive work attitudes | Age of the employee | Age of the employee (-) | Personality |
| Personality | Age and tenure of the employee (-) |
© 2010 JupiterimagesCorporation
© 2010 Jupiterimages Corporation
OCB and Absenteeism
Organizational citizenship behaviors are voluntary actions beyond the scope of normal job duties that contribute to the effective functioning of an organization. On the other hand, absenteeism costs companies an estimated $74 billion annually.
OB Toolbox
Dealing with Late Coworkers?
Turnover
Employees leave their jobs for many reasons, including:
OB Toolbox
Tips for Leaving Your Job Gracefully?
- What is the difference between performance and organizational citizenship behaviors? How would you increase someone’s performance? How would you increase citizenship behaviors?
- Are citizenship behaviors always beneficial to the company? If not, why not? Can you think of any citizenship behaviors that employees may perform with the intention of helping a company but that may have negative consequences overall?
- Given the factors correlated with job performance, how would you identify future high performers?
- What are the major causes of absenteeism at work? How can companies minimize the level of absenteeism that takes place?
- In some companies, managers are rewarded for minimizing the turnover within their department or branch. A part of their bonus is tied directly to keeping the level of turnover below a minimum. What do you think about the potential effectiveness of these programs? Do you see any downsides to such programs?
Discussion
Job Attitudes, Behavior, and Ethics
Ethical work environment
Happier employees
Strong organizational commitment
Employees less likely to recognize and report unethical behavior
Job Attitudes Around the Globe
- Which factors related to work attitudes in Western cultures should also be related to work attitudes in other cultures? Are there any that you think would not be important in a different culture that you are familiar with?
- Do you think people leave their jobs for the same reasons around the world? If not, explain why you think so.
Discussion