Dr Jennifer Loh

Email: mloh4@une.edu.au

Phone: (02) 6773 3027

What is Psychology in the Workplace?

Also known as "industrial" or "organisational" psychology, Psychology in the Workplace is concerned with the application of psychological principles, research methods, and intervention strategies to the practical problems associated with workplace settings. The advent of globalisation has brought with it great challenges and benefits for organisations and employees around the world and employees are increasingly exposed to diverse work settings. Communication, new technologies, the expectations of employees and managers, the relationships among people, and the boundaries between family and work are important issues in today's workplace.

Topics

Topics covered in this unit will include deviant work behaviours (e.g., workplace bullying, rumours in the workplace), compensation and discrimination in the workplace (e.g., gender inequality, ageing workforce), the dynamics of the workplace (e.g., teams, workgroups, supervisor-employee relationships), and the relationship between the workplace and psychological health such as job satisfaction, stress, frustration, and anger.

	Deviant work behaviours
	Workgroup dynamics
	Stress and the workplace

Why is it important?

Employees are increasingly exposed to diverse work settings (such as working with people with different expertise, knowledge, creativity, ethnicity and organizational status). If not managed properly, such diversity can create problems in the workplace and impede work processes. In other cases, it may create great conflict between group members. As a result, communication, interpersonal/inter/intra-group work boundaries and technological challenges have increasingly become more important in today’s global work settings. Knowing what some of the workplace issues are and how best to deal with them is important, especially when you consider that many of us will spend at least 8 hours a day in the workplace.

Career opportunities for I-O psychologists

Many I-O psychologists work as trainers, motivators, career advisers, managers and consultants within large companies or government departments, or in any organisation where advanced organisational psychology knowledge is needed. Other I-O psychologists work in research or academic positions. Still, others have their own business providing trainings in leadership, stress management, and workplace diversity.

For more information on career opportunities using Psychology search the Graduate Careers Australia site or the Graduates Online site.

Also have a look at the American Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

Some related links