Working Relationships

A toolkit for mastering the personal characteristics and social abilities of emotional intelligence (EQ) to manage conflict and develop teamwork

All businesses have needs. People with disabilities have the skills and desire to work. As employment specialists work to match employers with job seekers, they need to do more than understand the job seeker's personal and professional goals--they also need to know exactly what the employers are looking for. That's what Working Relationships is about: securing satisfying jobs for people with disabilities by fostering partnerships between employment specialists and businesses. A must-read for all employment service providers and for anyone interested in employment of people with disabilities, this book helps readers understand the theoretical framework for improving career development practices through relationship building understand what employers want and expect from employment service providers learn about the building blocks of strong partnerships with employers: beliefs and values, communication skills, multicultural competence, ethics, and self-efficacy find practical guidelines for getting to know both job seekers and employers, marketing proactively to businesses, matching job seeker characteristics with employer needs, and using the tenets of quality customer service when working with employers consider the possibility of non-traditional employment through customized job consultation discover strategies for improving job retention and promoting career advancement for people with disabilities explore specific ways to make employment service programs more customer-oriented, convenient, and understandable to employers Filled with helpful case studies and examples, this valuable resource will help employment specialists develop strong, respectful partnerships with businesses--partnerships that will lead to rewarding careers for people with disabilities.

Power your business culture with strong workplace relationships—and watch productivity and profitability soar For years, companies have been implementing programs that promote social responsibility and improve employee health, both of which benefit the financial bottom line. Now it’s time to focus on positive social interactions and relationships in the workplace. Why? Research shows that authentic, trust-based relationships increase job satisfaction, engagement, productivity, and retention—and even decreased healthcare costs. In Work Better Together, two experts from Deloitte explain how working remotely, over-relying on digital communication, and always being “on” is fast-increasing feelings of isolation and burnout—and how a work culture driven by quality relationships can reverse these trends. The authors show how to cultivate positive relationships by: Focusing on self-care, such as physical health, quality sleep, and taking time off Tapping into human skills, such as empathy, authenticity, and communication Using technology with intentionality to strengthen relationships, while breaking the negative habits technology fosters Managing workplace relationships, whether you’re in the office every day or telecommuting—or something in between Developing a culture of strong relationships that drive quality collaboration throughout the organization Work Better Together walks you through the process of implementing change and fueling a much-needed corporate movement towards humanity in the workplace. Based on the authors’ 40+ combined years of experience, it helps you meet today’s employees’ most urgent needs, while benefitting your organization in real and measurable ways.

This edited volume brings together a select group of leading organizational scholars for the purpose of developing a foundation-setting book on positive relationships at work. Positive Relationships at Work (PRW) is a rich new interdisciplinary domain of inquiry that focuses on the generative processes, relational mechanisms and outcomes associated with positive relationships between people at work. This volume builds a solid foundation for this promising new area of scholarly inquiry and offers a multidisciplinary exploration of how relationships at work become a source of growth, vitality, learning and generative states of human and collective flourishing. A unique feature of the book is the use of a connecting commentator chapter at the end of each section. The Commentator Chapters, written by preeminent scholars, uncover and discuss integrative themes that emerge within sections. The editors approach the topic from multiple levels, each level providing critical, valuable insights into the dynamic process underlying positive relationships at work. These levels are arranged in five parts: an introduction to positive relationships at work; Individuals and Dyads; Groups and Communities; Organizations and Organizing; and a conclusion that offers an engaging invitation and multi-level map for guiding future research. This volume will appeal to academics and practitioners, as well as scholars and graduate students in organizational psychology, management, human resources, and inter-personal communications.

Effective relationship management at work is crucial for business success – it affects employee performance and wellbeing, as well as the recruitment and retention of talent. Yet relationship management is demanding to handle well. Professionals face a large number of challenges in the workplace that are relationship-related, ranging from upsetting or annoying incidents, to loneliness and exclusion, problems of criticism and opposition, and unhealthy cultural atmospheres with inadequate psychological safety. This book provides a powerful set of tools and concepts for leaders, managers, and employees of all levels to deal with relationship challenges at work with greater success. It does not offer simplistic tips or easy fixes. Rather, it helps people address the challenges for themselves – to ‘read’ the context so that they can identify the factors giving rise to the people problems or risks they are facing. Then they will be able to select the most suitable strategies for overcoming the challenges. Part 1 introduces the issues at stake and the main factors affecting rapport at work. Part 2 deals with key relationship challenges at work (e.g. discord and disagreement, exclusion, uncooperative colleagues, difficult bosses, problematic employees) and presents a suite of tools for addressing them. The tools are all underpinned by an empirically robust conceptual framework – the TRIPS rapport management framework. Part 3 explains the TRIPS conceptual framework in more detail, drawing particularly on psychological and pragmatic theories and findings on relationship management. TRIPS is an acronym for the key factors that need to be taken into account when managing rapport: the Triggers (6 key things people value in working relationships) that give rise to rapport Reactions (e.g. annoyance, upset) if not handled well during the Interactions (what is said and done), all of which are influenced by the People involved and by their situational contexts, Settings. Part 4 provides templates for the tools, TRIPS concepts and strategies that readers can use and apply in their own contexts. Authentic case studies are used throughout the book and are complemented by a range of activities. The book will be valuable to a wide audience: - Professionals wanting to improve their own relationship building capabilities - Learning and Development and HR practitioners who want to develop collaborative, inclusive workplaces by helping leaders and colleagues with their relationship building skills - Consultants who provide support in this area and would like a clear and robust framework for designing their development initiatives, along with case study examples and follow-up activities; - Students and scholars in the fields of pragmatics, politeness and rapport theory, and positive communication who would value the latest conceptual thinking in the field and handy access to key concepts.

In this illuminating and thoughtful text, Neil Pembroke shows how relationships form the heart of chaplaincy, nursing and social care practice. Developing ideas from Martin Buber and virtue theory he shows how authentic, compassionate self-communication forms the basis of relatedness in human services work. Drawing on examples from everyday life and human services work settings, Pembroke demonstrates the importance of trust and feelings of belonging in the working environment. He considers in particular the connection between spirituality and the idea of personal charm, showing how charm can be seen as a vital component in the communication of self, which enables us to nurture the physical and spiritual well-being of those we care for.

In recent years it has become clear that many businesses, motivated by avoiding the rigidity and the price tag associated with labour law and social security, have succeeded in eroding the protection of labour law by creating numerous categories of workers classified as non-employees. In 1996 the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted Recommendation 198, which asks its Members to undertake action to reduce 'disguised' employment relationships, with the goal of ensuring that those actually working in an employment relationship are actually given the corresponding legal status. Though these are - from a legal approach - two conceptually different phenomena, they are closely related from a social policy point of view. In order to make a substantial contribution to the discussion on these developments a group of noted European labour law scholars has undertaken the research assembled in this book, recommending labour law reforms based on a close examination of existing conditions. The eight authors analyse measures and legal instruments offered by the European Union and the ILO to cover persons performing personal work, as well as specific developments in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In each case they describe viable ways in which categories of persons not treated as employees can be brought under the protection of labour law and how the distinction between employees and self-employed can become more clear. In a concluding final Chapter comparative conclusions are drawn on the basis of this study and recommendations are given to the EU, the ILO and the individual Member States. Among the specific issues covered are the following: * redefining the subordination criterion; * the role of the courts; * determination of the contract of employment; * forms of labour involving more than two contracting parties (e.g., employment agency arrangements); * the legal position of temporary workers; * 'employee-like' persons, e.g., home-workers or commercial representatives; * the 'bogus' self-employed; * introduction and effect of legal presumptions in labour law and/or social security; * developing uniform criteria for the employment relationship; * criteria for identifying self-employed but economically-dependent workers; * extension of protection of labour law to persons other than employees or the self-employed; and * social rights applicable to all work contracts irrespective of their formal qualification; * floor of core rights. This study seriously contributes toward overcoming the reluctant and piecemeal measures commonly taken to extend the protection of the employment contract. Although the authors acknowledge the continuing tension between labour law protection and the need for a flexible workforce, they also recognize the positive effects of best practices that lead to more certainty, fewer disputes, and clear (but still flexible if necessary) agreements. The book will be warmly welcomed as a signal contribution to addressing what one labour law scholar has called 'the most important industrial relations issue of our time.'

The fundamental necessity in any good relationship is simple: both parties must first tend to their own spiritual growth. David Wolf understands this intimately, and his book elucidates that approach to relationships by revealing an effective and accessible model for self-fulfillment. By applying the strategies of conscious living, and leaving behind limiting patterns of thought and behavior, one becomes able to bring about positive change in ones' self and ones' environment. The effect that these positive changes has on a relationship can be transformative, leading to sustained happiness and growth.

The key to career success and job satisfaction are effective working relationships. This book will help you to understand why relationships matter so much, what is happening when they go wrong and the different skills you need in different working environments. It will provide you with the tools and techniques required to make your relationships great, whether you are working in an office, working virtually, or blending both.

Stuck for ideas, inspiration or just want to work differently? Management Extra brings all the best management thinking together in one package.The books are practical and well structured to provide an in depth treatment of these management topics. Titles in the series: * Business Environment * Change Management * Development for High Performance * Effective Communications * Financial Management * Information and Knowledge Management * Leadership and Management in Organisations * Leading Teams * Making Sense of Data and Information * Managing Markets and Customers * Managing for Results * Managing Health, Safety andWorking Environment * Managing Legal and Ethical Principles * Managing Yourself * PositiveWorking Relationships * Project Management * Quality and Operations Management * Reaching Your Goals Through Innovation * Recruitment and Selection * Reputation Management This series fuses key theories and concepts with applied activities to help managers examine how they work in practice.The books are created with individuals in mind.They are designed to help you improve your management skills. Management Extra can also be used in conjunction with management programmes of study aligned to standards. Each of the books has case studies, self assessments and activities all underpinned by knowledge and understanding of the frameworks and techniques required to improve performance. Management Extra provides managers and trainers with a handbook for action and development. You found it – what a find! A practical resource packed with all the relevant theory and suggested activities to support your professional development. An essential resource to have at your fingertips, jump in and enjoy. Russell Jeans Learning and Development Manager, ntl All the essential concepts are here, presented in an easily digestible format with lots of up to date case studies and references – but, most importantly, with plenty of thought provoking activities and self-diagnostic exercises to make the learning personal and transferable. Peter Manning Head of Training & Development, News International Newspapers Ltd