shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Lifestyle News > Culture News > Article > Employees offering help to co workers can backfire Study

Employees offering help to co-workers can backfire: Study

Updated on: 28 October,2018 09:46 PM IST  |  New York
IANS |

The study explored that extending a helping hand was just as likely to make the situation worse, while simply making job resources available had a more consistent positive effect

Employees offering help to co-workers can backfire: Study

Representational Image

Offering help to a struggling co-worker or employee on the job can backfire, according to a new study.


The study explored that extending a helping hand was just as likely to make the situation worse, while simply making job resources available had a more consistent positive effect.


"Not all support is good support. Reaching out to offer help to a co-worker could end up insulting them," said Michael Mathieu, graduate student at San Francisco State University in the US.


Simply making support available is often better than overtly discussing it.

Offering job-related support such as a new equipment or career counselling performed roughly the same role as providing emotional support, like listening to a co-worker's problems.

"Sometimes offering support makes things worse, sometimes it makes it better," said Mathieu.

Results showed that support coming from a superior has a bigger impact than when it comes from a co-worker.

The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, reviewed 142 studies.

The team from the varsity used a wide variety of measurements -- from job satisfaction to job performance and even stressors like "role overload" (when an employee's workload is too large to handle).

"Before providing support, think about whether it is needed and whether it is wanted. "If it is not, maybe step back and do not provide that," Mathieu warned.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Except for the change in the headline, the story has been provided "AS-IS," "AS AVAILABLE, without any verification or editing from our side. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK