In the past few decades, the world of work has undergone fundamental changes. Densification and acceleration of work processes, increasingly blurred boundaries between work and private life, and continuous (self-) evaluation and optimisation are the new normal. Employees are expected to be flexible and mobile; their willingness to constantly improve their human capital and to strategically use it in the labour market has become an essential precondition for career success. This ‘brave new world of work’ impacts our psychological well-being: Who we want to be, what we expect of ourselves, and how we emotionally deal with work-related difficulties and challenges is intimately intertwined with said norms and ideals. Women and men often cope with these stresses and challenges differently which in turn produces gender-specific practices and effects.
The aim of the research project is to develop psychologically more sustainable work practices which lead to increased balance, stability and well-being.
The New Zealand part of the study (January to May 2020) consisted of a series of team-based workshops with two private sector organisations (IT/finance) and a group of scientists.The Swiss part of the study consisted of a group coaching project with women in leadership positions (January to July 2021).
If you would like to learn more about the project, please contact me: nilima.chowdhury@unisg.ch.