Workers suffer less stress if the goals set for them in the workplace are in line with their personal goals, according to study by the British Psychological Society.
The study found that the levels of stress experienced by call centre staff over a two week period could be related to the extent to which the work environment allowed them to attain their personal goals. This may also explain why individuals react differently in similar circumstances.
One major lesson employers could draw from the research is that employees need to take ownership of the goals they are required to achieve if they are to perform to their full potential. For line managers, this means making an effort to understand the personal motivations of their staff so that appropriate goals can be set.