Workplace Tension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Workplace Tension - Essay Example The tension exists apparently due to differences between co-workers, and the counsellor directs his or her efforts towards the discovery and removal of this source of tension. When tension exists between co-workers, their attention shifts from the main job they are performing to the source of their stress – the other co-worker. Workplace tension among co-workers develops into workplace conflict if the sources of the tension are not discovered and eliminated at the soonest possible time. The co-workers involved tend to be occupied by their personal conflicts and therefore become distracted from their jobs. Because they cannot function at their peak, these workers experience reduced productivity, which results in reduced efficiency and therefore higher costs for the organization. This may be seen as a slowdown during operations, or increasing errors committed on the job that lead to lower quality and additional rework costs. Although workplace tension is a personal thing, it is therefore in the company’s better interest that such tension be avoided, usually through proactive counselling. There are many theories the counsellor may be guided by. The theory I believe could best help the counsellor in eliminating workplace tension is the Motivational Systems Theory (MST), formulated by Martin Ford in 1992. The MST tries to present in an organized manner a clear image of the different motivation theories. It recognizes the interaction of the individual and his environment, on his way to his career-related goals, and how important a person’s motivation is to the way he functions (Patton & McMahon, 1998:140). In applying MST, the counsellor must try to understand the individual worker’s motivation, and the different factors affecting his motivation such as biological, environmental, skills, knowledge, and circumstances, as well as factors relating to hic job. While many of these factors are personal to the individual worker and do not