Psychology of the Workplace
Do small slights at work actually matter for productivity? New research says yes
A study of a retail chain found that when managers delivered birthday gifts late, employees responded with 50% more sick days and fewer working hours, suggesting even tiny workplace slights can dent performance.
The ranking trick that fools managers and shoppers alike
A new study finds people consistently favor an option ranked 2nd of 8 over one ranked 4th of 16, even though they're statistically equal. The reason: we judge rankings by their distance from the top.
Why some people can’t stop working, even when they want to
A study of 43 professionals who can't stop working traces the habit back to childhood. Researchers find that an internalized "doer" identity, built to survive early demands, can quietly generate the very distress people suffer at work.
When your job feels scriptable: How routine work and AI anxiety drain employee energy
New research on 550 frontline workers finds that highly scripted jobs drain vigor and learning, and AI-related job anxiety disrupts the knowledge sharing that normally helps employees thrive.
Why people at the bottom of the ladder speed up their speech to match the boss
A new study finds that employees in low-power positions speed up their speech to match fast-talking partners, while those higher up stay consistent regardless of tempo.
What makes a public service job attractive? A new study sorts out which perks matter most
Researchers ran an experiment asking over 1,300 citizens to choose between hypothetical job offers. The results reveal what really attracts candidates to public service work, and how a sense of mission changes the equation.
The Goldilocks zone of sales pressure: Why a little urgency helps and too much hurts
New research across two retail field studies finds that moderate time pressure boosts sales performance while excessive pressure drags it down, with managerial feedback, mentoring, and meetings softening the damage.