Coworker Relationships

Chapter 7
Coworker Relationships
 Reasons for Workplace
Relationships
 Proximity

 Shared interests

 Shared tasks

 Need satisfaction
Needs Satisfied by Relationships
 Support

 Power

 Expertise

 Social exchange
 Bridge & Baxter (1992)
 Benefits
– Accessibility
– Commonality
– Work assistance
– Psychological support
 Drawbacks
– Objectivity strain
– Performance strain
 Workplace Romances
 Why?
Benefits Drawbacks
Improved performance absenteeism
Better teamwork poor work quality
Easier to work with distracted

Coworkers—may feel jealousy, disgust, disapproval

 Employee-Customer
Relationships
 Know the customer
– Likes and dislikes
– Preferences

 Take responsibility for customer satisfaction

– Personalize service/Ask for feedback
– Remember names, express interest

 Treat difficult customers with respect

 Employee-Customer
Relationships
 Know the customer
– Likes and dislikes
– Preferences

 Take responsibility for customer satisfaction

– Personalize service/Ask for feedback
– Remember names, express interest
 Employee-Customer
Relationships
 Avoid unresponsive behavior
– Apathy
– Coldness
– Robotism

 Treat difficult customers with respect

 Manager-Employee
Relationships
 Power-sharing

 Managing diversity