Do people keep working if they win the lottery? And can you tell by your hair if you’re under too much stress from work?
These and many more questions are answered in the recently published book Conflict with your boss. In it, scientists from Ghent University list research on work.
What questions do you think we should investigate? Stijn Baert, professor of economics at Ghent University, asked this in the Flemish radio program at the beginning of 2021 New Facts. Three thousand listeners responded and Baert and colleagues got to work. A few highlights from their book.
Should I confront or remain silent at work for the sake of peace?
Arguing now and then – with your boss or with co-workers – can be helpful. Provided you do it right. This is called ‘constructive controversy’. In a frank discussion you exchange opposing points of view to benefit together.
That ‘better together’ is essential. But then you have to agree on what is ‘better’. What helps with this is discussing motives and values. Why is this important to you? This is how you arrive at shared starting points and goals.
Also important: avoid verbal poison in discussions, such as contempt and sarcasm. This undermines the relationship and creates more problems than it solves.
Arguing now and then – with your boss or with co-workers – can be helpful
Are people who have had a burnout less likely to be promoted?
The short answer is: yes. A little longer: there are a lot of negative ideas and prejudices about burnout. Employers think that people learn more slowly after a burnout, are less able to manage, cooperate less well and are less able to withstand pressure. Those who had a burnout and talk about it when applying for a job have significantly less chance. Except when the interviewer has experienced a burn-out – in himself or in acquaintances. Then with a burnout behind you, you have a better chance of finding that new job.
Colleagues make nasty comments about me. How should I respond to this?
Five percent of European workers are bullied at work. How? By spreading gossip, interrupting and criticizing, isolating and publicly humiliating. Bullying can escalate, with a victim increasingly left alone and often sick at home. That is why you should not wait if you notice bullying behavior, but intervene as early as possible. Victims and colleagues must be able to report easily to a confidential adviser, who will tackle the problem on the basis of clear internal procedures. Preferably informal, but if necessary formal. Measures must therefore be taken to protect the victim against acts of revenge.
About that lottery and that hair. Do people keep working if they win the lottery? 70 percent of people say in research that they would do this. For the most part, work is about more than money. And yes, your hair is kind of like a stress diary. The stress hormone cortisol precipitates in our hair. If you analyze a human hair, you can read back on which days there were conflicts and tension.
There is so much more in this useful and fun book. A fine example of public science by Baert and colleagues.
Ben Tiggelaar writes weekly about personal leadership, work and management.