Three Cheers for I-O Psychology

According to recent research from Gallup, 70% of US workers say that their jobs are ideal.  As you might expect, this percentage is higher for those with more education, those making more money, and for professionals (as opposed to service workers).  The likelihood of having an ideal job also increases with age.

Gallup does not provide a historical comparison in the article posted on their website.  But I have to believe this has increased – if not in the past few years, certainly when taking a longer term perspective.  And on the eve of SIOP’s 25th anniversary, I like to believe that the contributions of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists have played a key part in this improvement in person-job fit.

  • Accessibility of career decision tools and processes increase the chances that individuals have carefully chosen the their career path based on values, interests and abilities.
  • Effective employee selection processes that include job analysis, valid testing and structured interviews increase the likelihood an employee will have the skills needed to be successful. (more…)


Psychologically Healthy Workplace Conference 2010

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Conference is taking place this weekend in Washington D.C. (if you are interested in attending there is still time to register).  The conference will be a great place to network, learn and celebrate healthy, high-performing organizations.

Some of the key note speakers include:

  • Nico Pronk, PhD, FACSM – Vice-President and Health Science Officer, JourneyWell, HealthPartners, an expert on worksite health promotion and multi-component interventions
  • Benjamin Schneider, PhD Senior Research Fellow, VALTERA, an expert on employee engagement
  • Cali Williams YostCEO and Founder of Work+Life Fit, Inc. and author of Work+Life: Finding the Fit That’s Right for You, an expert in work flexibility and work-life issues
  • Rich Cober, PhD Senior Director of Talent Management Analytics & Solutions, Marriott International, an expert on employee assessment and selection, performance management and hiring effectiveness
  • Fran Melmed Owner, context communication consulting llc, an HR communication consultant and blogger at free-range communication and Fistful of Talent.
  • Roy Saunderson, MA, CRP President, Recognition Management Institute, an authority on employee recognition
  • Judy Martin – Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist, speaker and founder of WorkLifeNation.com
  • Howard Ross Founder and Chief Learning Officer, Cook Ross, Inc., an internationally recognized speaker on diversity, leadership and organizational change
  • Tonya Vyhlidal, M.Ed., CHPD Director of Wellness, Safety, and Life Enhancement, Lincoln Industries, an experienced health and wellness professional with a track record of success
  • David C. Munz, PhD Professor of Psychology, Saint Louis University, a recognized expert on organizationally-based stress management training
  • Michelle James, MBA Health Communication Manager, Intel Corporation, an experienced communications professional with expertise in wellness program development and health promotion
  • Matthew J. Grawitch, PhDChair of the Organizational Studies Program in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, an expert on healthy workplace practices

For more information please visit: http://www.phwa.org/conference



Valuing Employees
December 28, 2009, 4:24 am
Filed under: Employee Engagement, Employee Recognition

Have you ever heard the saying “our employees are our greatest asset?”

Of course you have.  The saying is so ubiquitous, you’d have to be pretty sheltered to have never heard this.  In fact, it’s hard to find a corporate website that doesn’t include something declaring the importance of people to their business.  “Employees are our greatest asset” is frequently followed by clarifying statements, such as

  • “Our ability to deliver on our strategy is dependent upon our employees — they are our single greatest asset.”
  • “Our business success depends on the quality of our employees.”
  • “Our employees are our greatest asset and key to our continuing success.”

So … do you believe it? (more…)