scholarly journals Culture, consent and confidentiality in workplace autoethnography

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-319
Author(s):  
Catherine Lee
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
School Teacher ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Professional Identities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the author’s experiences as a school teacher and a lesbian. It considers the culture and discourses of power in the school and the ethical implications of telling the author’s story. Utilizing autoethnography as a method of inquiry, it draws on a critical incident to explore the incompatibility of the author’s private and professional identities, and reflect on the impact of homophobic and heteronormative discursive practices in the workplace, on health, well-being and identity. Design/methodology/approach This research is grounded in an interpretivist philosophy. It utilizes writing about the self as a method of inquiry. Findings This research examines the incompatibility of the author’s private and professional identities and offers insight into the steps that those in positions of power will take to protect and perpetuate the heteronormative discourse of rural life. Research limitations/implications This research presents the perspective of only one lesbian teacher in a rural context. Consequently, generalizations are inappropriate and recommendations are difficult. Whilst the absence of clear ethical regulation presents an infinite number of possibilities for autoethnographers, the silence that surrounds the prescription of the ethics of autoethnography leaves those of us at the beginnings of our research careers without clear guidance. Originality/value This research specifically addresses a dearth of research examining the experiences of the rural lesbian (or gay) teacher in the UK. Headteachers of rural schools must ensure that their schools are inclusive and welcoming environments for teachers, and their equalities policies are living documents that are not simply cast aside in the face of rural parent power. Young people in the countryside deserve access to the full pool of teaching talent and should have access to the diverse role models that their urban and suburban counterparts are beginning to enjoy.

The rate and impact of substance misuse in psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hattie Catherine Ann Moyes ◽  
Lana MacNaboe ◽  
Kate Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Quality ◽  
Improvement Programme ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to understand the current scale of substance misuse in psychiatric intensive care units (PICUs), identify how substance misuse affects members of staff, patients and the running of wards and explore with staff what resources would be most useful to more effectively manage substance misuse and dual diagnosis on PICUs. Design/methodology/approach The paper used a mixed-methods approach, using a quantitative survey to determine the extent of substance use in PICUs and a co-design workshop to understand the impact of substance misuse on PICU wards, staff and patients. Findings The estimated rate of substance misuse in PICUs over a 12-month period is 67%, with cannabis the most frequently used substance. Despite the range of problems experienced on PICUs because of substance misuse, the availability of training and resources for staff was mixed. Research limitations/implications The findings may not be fully generalisable as research participants were members of a national quality improvement programme, and therefore, may not be representative of all PICUs. Data was collected from clinicians only; if patients were included, they might have provided another perspective on substance misuse on PICUs. Practical implications This paper emphasises the importance of substance misuse training for PICU staff to adequately respond to patients who misuse substances, improve the ward environment, staff well-being and patient outcomes. Originality/value This paper provides an updated estimation of rates of substance misuse in PICUs over a 12-month period and make suggestions for a training programme that can better support staff to address substance misuse on PICUs.

scholarly journals The impact of workplace spirituality on work-based learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Foster ◽  
Anna Foster
Keyword(s):  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retail Chain ◽  
Trust Relationships ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the emerging spirituality debate with the aim of generating and sustaining tolerance for spirituality in the workplace, with a specific focus upon the impact this can have upon work-based learners. “Spirituality” is gaining impetus worldwide as a growing number of organisations are proactively accommodating their multi-ethnic and multi-faith workforce by adapting their policies to meet employees’ spiritual needs. As yet in the UK, the majority of organisations fail to recognise neither the basic spiritual well-being of their employees nor the impact this can have upon work-based learning processes. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a quantitative approach with questionnaires distributed to a multi-national retail UK-based organisation with an ethnically diverse national workforce. The study was tested by collecting data from managers and employees of this large, multi-million pound retail chain organisation in the UK, consisting of 55 stores and 1,249 employees, in order to gather employees’ perceptions on spirituality within their place of work regarding policies, communication and perceived source of conflict. Findings The results revealed that the majority of employees deemed spirituality was not something they felt comfortable discussing or appropriate to practice within the workplace and there were no clear policies and procedures in place to support either management or employees. Research limitations/implications This paper highlights areas for further research in the broad professional areas of spirituality in relation to organisational approaches to work-based learning. The research is from one organisation and utilising one method – qualitative research would add depth to the knowledge. Practical implications This paper highlights areas for further research in the broad professional areas of spirituality in relation to organisational approaches to work-based learning. Originality/value Employee spiritual well-being is under-researched and overlooked by organisations. Changing the current spiritual intransigence is long overdue as employees’ spiritual fulfilment leads to high-trust relationships in the workplace and can further support those engaged in work-based learning.

Work‐life balancing strategies used by women managers in British “modern” universities

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Women Managers ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrate Work ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe “work‐life balance” literature is mainly concerned with the provision and up‐take of flexible employment patterns. The purpose of this qualitative study of women managers' coping strategies for reconciling work with their other roles and responsibilities is to provide a complementary perspective.Design/methodology/approachSemi‐structured extended interviews were carried out with 16 women managers of academic or “support” departments in eight UK post‐1992 universities, about their working practices and how they sought to integrate work with other parts of their lives.FindingsThese women reported high workloads, requiring long working hours, which consumed time and energy otherwise available for other relationships and commitments and their own leisure. Various strategies were adopted to manage the situation, including establishing rigid boundaries between work and non‐work, and shifting these boundaries in favour of work when necessary. Temporal, spatial and symbolic distinctions were used to contain work. Women without dependent children were more likely to be able to redefine boundaries when necessary to favour work.Research limitations/implicationsAs a small and possibly unrepresentative sample of UK women managers in higher education, the study could usefully be extended through comparisons with male peers, and with women managers in other sectors. (It is the preliminary phase of a comparative study of women employed in universities in the UK and Japan.) However, the findings broadly replicate other studies.Practical implicationsThere are policy implications for universities, which need feedback from staff about the impact of equal opportunities initiatives to inform further progress.Originality/valueThis study provides qualitative information on women working in non‐traditional key posts in higher education, who are well‐placed to challenge organisational cultures and act as role models.

Education online in lockdown: limits and possibilities. The vision of families in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique-Javier Díez-Gutiérrez ◽  
Katherine Gajardo Espinoza
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Autonomous Communities ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Digital Divides ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Policy Proposals

PurposeMarch 14, 2020, marked the beginning of an unexpected state of emergency in Spain due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). From that moment on, the educational system had to adapt so that millions of students could continue their education at home. Through a descriptive study, the reality and perceptions that Spanish families have about the educational actions that took place during the compulsory lockdown of the Spanish population is presented.Design/methodology/approach3,400 representatives of family units from 17 autonomous communities answered a survey, the data were analyzed using descriptive and frequency statistics.FindingsRelevant conclusions were drawn from the results. Despite the efforts of the authorities, the economic, cultural, social and digital divides leave many households without access to the fundamental right of education; families value the support of technologies but consider that they should not replace the face-to-face education that is necessary for the development process of minors; it is necessary to adapt the school content for a future postpandemic, discriminating the expendable from the essential in the school curriculum; priority must be given to the integral well-being of people in educational policies and also to the most vulnerable ones.Originality/valueThe study allows progress in the analysis of educational policy proposals in the face of future crisis.

Reviewer online engagement: the role of rank, well-being, and market helping behavior

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 464-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Mosteller ◽  
Charla Mathwick
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Helping Behavior ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Ranking System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Social Relatedness ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a retailer-managed ranking system on product reviewers’ well-being and its relationship to customer engagement. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of reviewers’ posts, generated over a six-month period following a critical incident involving a change in the reviewer ranking system, informs findings. Findings – Fulfilling needs for social relatedness, competency and autonomy may be critical aspects that underlie reviewer engagement. Findings explain how organic and hierarchical reviewing platform design elements may support or thwart psychological need fulfillment. Reviewers expressed positive well-being when system elements facilitated organic interactions between consumers and reviewers, fulfilling social relatedness and competency needs. Hierarchical design elements elicited mixed well-being sentiments. When reviewers used rank as a feedback mechanism to signal competency development, positive well-being emerged, whereas ranking features perceived as lacking in integrity or reducing one’s autonomy, evoked negative sentiments. A stimulus-organism-response framework, grounded in environmental psychology, provides the basis for the online reviewer engagement model. This study deepens understanding of online customer engagement by illustrating how a ranking system and social elements influence well-being and motive fulfilment, key psychological processes associated with engagement. Research limitations/implications – Highly engaged reviewers on one community platform inform findings, so results are not representative of all reviewers, but are relevant for conceptual purposes concerning critical incidents. Practical implications – Findings have implications for the design of recognition platforms created to support customer engagement in online reviewing communities. Social implications – Public ranking systems designed to recognize and reward reviewers can enhance as well as degrade consumer well-being within an online service environment. Originality/value – First empirical work to examine the value of consumer well-being as it relates to engagement within an online reviewing service context.

The subjective experiences of liaison and diversion staff who encounter individuals with autism

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-150
Author(s):  
Eleanor Burch ◽  
John Rose
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Making A Difference ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Research suggests that individuals with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are inconsistently supported throughout the criminal justice system (CJS) in the UK. Bradley (2009) recommended the introduction of criminal justice liaison and diversion (L&D) teams to bridge the gap between the CJS and mental health services and provide a more consistent and improved quality of support for individuals with vulnerabilities, including those with autism. This study aims to explore the experiences of staff working in L&D teams who encounter individuals with ASD. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with ten L&D team members. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to gain insight into their lived experiences of working with autism in the CJS. Findings Interpretation of individual transcripts resulted in three super-ordinate themes: “feeling helpless and helpful in the system”, “transition to knowing” and “impact on self”. Each theme encapsulated a number of sub-themes depicting the limitations of services, difficult environments, making a difference, lack of understanding, developing understanding and the impact of these experiences on staff’s confidence, attitudes and well-being. Practical implications Criminal justice services are limited for people with autism. There is a lack of autism awareness by staff. Lack of awareness impacts staff attitudes and confidence. Training in autism should be provided to criminal justice staff. Originality/value This research highlights the limitations of services available for individuals with autism and the widespread lack of autism awareness. These concerns directly impacted participants’ confidence, attitudes and well-being. Recommendations are proposed to guide future practice and research including increasing availability of access to ASD services, enforcing mandatory autism-specific training for staff and routinely collecting service-user feedback.

Frontline employees’ cognitive appraisals and well-being in the face of customer aggression in an Eastern, collectivist culture

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 268-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanchuen Akkawanitcha ◽  
Paul Patterson ◽  
Siriwut Buranapin ◽  
Saranya Kantabutra
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Cognitive Appraisal ◽  
Cognitive Appraisals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eastern Culture ◽  
Private Context ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This research aims to examine the cognitive appraisals of frontline employees (FLEs) when dealing with aggressive customers and the impact on their well-being, as well as several moderator effects, in a collectivist, Eastern culture. Design/methodology/approach – A critical incident technique reveals the cognitive appraisal of FLEs who had recently experienced customer aggression. Data were collected through qualitative, in-depth interviews with 35 FLEs in customer-facing roles in Thailand. Findings – The FLEs perceived threats to self-esteem, physical well-being, goal completion at work, fairness or equity and sense of control when dealing with customer aggression. These cognitive appraisals affected their psychological well-being in the form of negative affectivity, anxiety, depression and stress. Importantly, factors that moderate (exacerbate or weaken) the impact of customer aggression on cognitive appraisal, and cognitive appraisal on psychological well-being were revealed, including “customer is always right” philosophy, social status, public versus private context and social support. Practical implications – Organisations should pay more attention to FLEs’ psychological well-being and how they interpret and deal with customers’ misbehaviour and aggression. The research identifies factors that moderate the impact of customer aggression on psychological well-being. Originality/value – This is the first empirical paper that has examined how FLEs cope with customer aggression in a collectivist, south-east Asian context where social norms calibrate FLEs’ responses to customer aggression. It is also the first research that adopts a contingency approach to understanding how FLEs cope with customer aggression – i.e. when faced with customer aggression, under what contingency conditions do FLEs cognitive appraisals have a stronger or weaker impact on their psychological well-being?

scholarly journals Adult safeguarding in Wales: one step in the right direction

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Williams
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lower Threshold ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the background to the recent changes to adult safeguarding in Wales as a result of the new measures introduced by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and discuss their potential impact. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on a range of material including reports published by the Law Commission, the National Assembly for Wales and other public bodies. It also refers to academic and practitioner material in journals and government guidance. Findings Although the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 introduced many changes in adult safeguarding in Wales, not least the duty to make enquiries, it does not take the opportunity to include statutory powers of barring and removal. The introduction of Adult Protection and Support Orders (APSOs) is a cautious step forward – perhaps it is too cautious. More research in needed on the different approaches across the UK. Research limitations/implications At the time of publication, the full effect of the new legislation has not been seen. Local authorities and others are coming to terms with the new provisions. No data on the impact of the new legislation are yet available. The paper identifies future research evaluating the working of the different approaches to safeguarding within the UK. Practical implications For practitioners, the new legislation provides opportunities to rethink the approach to safeguarding. The lower threshold for referrals will mean an increase in caseloads and the need to react to both low- and high-risk cases. For authorised officers, the practical issues identified relate to the circumstances in which an APSO may be sought and what can be put in place to protect the adult at risk once the order has been used. Social implications For those who experience abuse or neglect, the new legislation provides additional support when compared to the POVA process. The duty to make enquiries and the duty to report will hopefully strengthen protection and, with a lower threshold for referral, enable more preventative work to be done at an earlier stage. Whether the new APSO will make a difference remains to be seen. Originality/value As this is new legislation, there is very little analysis of the implications of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 in relation to safeguarding. This paper presents an overview and, in places, a critical analysis of the new safeguarding duties.

scholarly journals Comparing the impact of authentic leadership on Italian and UK police officers' discretionary power, well-being and commitment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Farr-Wharton ◽  
Yvonne Brunetto ◽  
Paresh Wankhade ◽  
Chiara Saccon ◽  
Matthew Xerri
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Discretionary Power ◽  
Police Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper compares the impact of leadership behaviours on the discretionary power, and well-being, and affective commitment of police officers from Italy and the United Kingdom (UK). In contrast to Italy, UK is an example of a core-New Public Management (NPM) country that has implemented reforms, in turn, changing the management and administration of public organizations. Consequently, it is expected that there will be significant differences in the behaviour of police officers. In particular, the paper examines the antecedents and outcomes of police officers' well-being.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves collecting and analysing survey data using Structural Equation Modelling from 220 Italian and 238 UK police officers.FindingsThere was a significant path from Leadership to Discretionary Power to Employee Well-being to Affective Commitment – at least for the Italian sample. The UK sample does not have a significant link between leadership and discretionary power. Discretionary power was similarly low for both groups as was affective commitment. Authentic leadership and discretionary power explained approximately a third of their well-being, particularly discretionary power. Together, directly and indirectly (mediated by well-being), they explained at least a third of police officers' commitment to their organization. Well-being appears to be the key to ensuring effective police officers.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this paper includes the use of cross-sectional data (Podsakoff et al., 2003). However, a common latent factor (CLF) was included, and several items that were explained by common method variance were controlled, as per George and Pandey's recommendations (2017). Additionally, a Harmon's single factor test was applied to the data.Practical implicationsThe UK police officers have significantly lower commitment compared with the Italian police officers (non-commitment), and both Italian and UK police officers have less discretionary power and well-being compared with police from the United States of America (USA) police officers and other street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). The findings suggest that the present police leadership behaviours erode rather than supports police officers' discretionary power and well-being, leading to a low organizational commitment. Leadership training will better prepare managers to ensure the well-being of police officers working under conditions of work intensification.Originality/valueThe UK police officers have significantly lower commitment compared with the Italian police officers (non-commitment), and both Italian and UK police officers have less discretionary power and well-being compared with US police officers and other SLBs. The findings show that the police leadership erodes rather than supports police officers' discretionary power and well-being, leading to low organizational commitment. Leadership models that enhance employee well-being rather than efficiency targets must be a priority if police are to be prepared to cope effectively with emergencies and pandemics.

Think outside: positive risk-taking with people living with dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Mapes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share findings from the evaluation of dementia adventure (DA) holidays provided in 2016 and drawing on these data, to share reflections on positive risk-taking, which are inherent in outdoor activities, and consider the implications for research and practice with people with dementia. Design/methodology/approach Data are drawn from the 2016 internal evaluation report, using mixed methods design, of DA holidays independently reviewed by Dr Ruth Bartlett at the University of Southampton. Findings DA holidays are leading to a range of social, emotional and physical well-being outcomes, as well as wider benefits for the community of people with dementia, their family and carers. Practical implications Drawing on what positive risk-taking means for individuals, families and organisations, top ten considerations for positive risk taking outdoor activities are presented. Originality/value The number of organisations providing adventure experiences and holidays for people with dementia in the UK remains very low with just a handful of organisations. The impact and evaluation of these holidays is just emerging and whilst compelling needs replication, with larger sample sizes supported by clinical and scientific expertise to deepen our understanding of the impact of positive risk-taking outdoor activities. Additionally, there is a need for thinking and acting differently summarised by the phrase “THINK OUTSIDE” in developing a wide range of nature based positive risk-taking activities with people with dementia.

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