CLEVELAND - The longer someone holds the same job the less likely the employee is to be friendly and supportive of others in the workplace, according to a study of 2,300 individuals by PsyMax Solutions, a Cleveland-based human capital assessment firm.
The study found a steady drop in supportive behavior as a person´s job tenure increases, said PsyMax Solutions CEO Dr. Wayne Nemeroff. "While someone´s work style might ordinarily be expected to stay the same, we learned that in respect to one behavior there is a definite change. After three to five years on the job there´s less willingness to show concern, assist others or even to act in a welcoming manner."
PsyMax Solutions analyzed the behavioral profiles of executives, managers and other employees and found that scores for behaviors such as affiliation and empathy decline steadily with job tenure.
According to Nemeroff, complacency or loss of empathy might be anticipated with some individuals after several years on the job. "Ours is an unusual finding...that left to their own devices some employees lose their unprompted readiness to reach out to others in their place of work. We surmise that people just become more task-oriented and set in their ways. They focus on getting the job done and are not so engaged in supportive behavior."
"A supportive employee will listen, encourage and volunteer to help others without being asked," according to Nemeroff. This is more than being a team player. Someone more people-oriented will always be cultivating and nurturing relationships, which are essential to building loyalty and trust with co-workers. This type of person is in tune with his or her environment."
The individual who loses empathy stands to lose out as well, noted Nemeroff. "One may be doing an outstanding job, but no one may see it if the person is perceived as distant, aloof or uncaring. This can lead to isolation and have a harmful impact on dealings with internal and external customers and others outside the company."
Nemeroff believes the research has important implications for management. "The organization thrives when new people are integrated and made welcome, and suffers if tenured employees lose their outward focus. The study identifies a phenomenon that might otherwise be overlooked and one that can harm customer service and productivity. Fortunately, there are ways for management to address and maximize supportiveness in the workplace."
Strong supportive behavior is especially needed in some industries and functions, noted Nemeroff. "That´s where an assessment tool may play a crucial role in selecting and recruiting people with work styles that fit the employer´s needs. Development and coaching tools, moreover, can re-vitalize and reinforce an employee's supportive work style behavior."
Work style assessment is increasingly being used by organizations to make more informed hiring decisions and to reduce employee turnover, said Nemeroff. "It´s in the employee's and organization's interests to continually develop employees´ supportive behavior as tenure increases since this work style is highly related to a customer service orientation."
Founded in 2002 by Dr. Wayne Nemeroff and headquartered in Cleveland, PsyMax Solutions is a pioneer in the application of smart systems to human capital assessment for employee selection and development. For more information call 440-603-9000 or visit www.psymaxsolutions.com.
Contact: Dr. Wayne Nemeroff, CEO, PsyMax Solutions, 440-603-9000, or Shari Fryer, Shari Fryer & Associates, 970-846-6607.
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Shari Fryer
President
Shari Fryer & Associates
970 846 6607