Working Knowledge
Business Research for Business Leaders
Filter Results: (43) Arrow Down

EmployeesRemove Employees →

New research on personnel management from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including dealing with toxic workers, effective recruiting, and increasing employee engagement.
Page 1 of 43 Results →

The Growth Engine Too Many Companies Overlook: Employees

by Michael Blanding

Companies trying to innovate or acquire their way to growth should consider another strategy: economic engagement. Dennis Campbell says five steps can help organizations cultivate an ownership mindset among employees. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Can We Train for Trust?

by James Heskett

A culture of trust can improve employee—and company—performance. But can leaders be trained to foster trust among those they lead? asks James Heskett. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Don't Ignore Your Employees' Misery—TAKE Control

by Hise O. Gibson and MaShon Wilson

Many workers are unhappy with their companies' return-to-work policies. Rather than risk losing productive people, managers should confront employee dissatisfaction head on, says Hise O. Gibson. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Managers, Here’s How to Bond with New Hires Remotely

by Lane Lambert

Worried about engaging interns and new employees in a hybrid world? Research by Iavor I. Bojinov and Prithwiraj Choudhury shows how "virtual watercooler" sessions can make all the difference. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Worried About the Great Resignation? Be a Good Company to Come From

by Sandra J. Sucher and Shalene Gupta

Some employees are just ready to move on. Rather than wave perks and bonuses at them, companies should focus on becoming great places to learn—and eventually leave, say Sandra J. Sucher and Shalene Gupta. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Should Non-Compete Clauses Be Abolished?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP: Non-compete clauses need to be rewritten, especially when they are applied to lower-income workers, respond James Heskett's readers. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Rituals Strengthen Couples. Here’s Why They’re Good for Business, Too

by Dina Gerdeman

Couples with deliberate rituals feel more satisfied with their relationships, says research by Michael I. Norton and Ximena Garcia-Rada. Can businesses benefit? Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Stuck in Commuter Hell? You Can Still Be Productive

by Dina Gerdeman

Commuters who listen to music or browse social media might be increasing their chance of a stressful workday. Research by Francesca Gino and colleagues offers better ways to cope with a bad commute. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Forget Cash. Here Are Better Ways to Motivate Employees

by Dina Gerdeman

In today's tight job market, employers must focus on how to attract and keep top talent. Giving away stacks of money may not always be the best incentive, warns Ashley Whillans. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Women Receive Harsher Punishment at Work Than Men

by Michael Blanding

Women caught in misconduct were 20 percent more likely to be fired and 30 percent less likely to find new employment in the financial services industry, reports new research by Mark Egan and colleagues. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

The Salary Taboo: Privacy Norms and the Diffusion of Information

by Zoë B. Cullen and Ricardo Perez-Truglia

Barriers to the diffusion of salary information have implications for a wide range of labor market phenomena. This study of employees of a real organization shows that individuals significantly misinterpret their peers’ salaries, partly due to pervasive preferences for concealing own salary, and a potentially strategic decision of high earners to withhold their personal information.

Make Your Employees Feel Psychologically Safe

by Martha Lagace

To do their best work, people need to feel secure and safe in their workplace. In a new book, Amy C. Edmondson details how companies can develop psychological safety. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Kids of Working Moms Grow into Happy Adults

by Dina Gerdeman

In earlier research, Kathleen McGinn and colleagues discovered that adult kids of working moms are high achievers at work. Now it turns out they are happy, too. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

How to Monetize Happiness

Is there a business model around happiness? Hitachi believes that a happy employee is a productive one, and is investing in "happiness sensors" to prove the connection. Ethan Bernstein explains why in this podcast. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Summing Up: Why Can’t Organizations Engage Their Employees?

by James Heskett

Who is responsible for generating employee engagement? The employee, or the employee's managers? Readers of this month's James Heskett column have a lot to say on the issue. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

You're Fired: Managing Gray-Area Decisions

Joseph Badaracco discusses how managers can sort through difficult gray-area decisions, such as firing an employee. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Are Employees Becoming Job 'Renters' Instead of 'Owners'?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP While some employees have a mindset of "renting" their jobs while others "own" them, James Heskett's readers tend to agree that companies plays a large role in determining those attitudes. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Commuting with a Plan: How Goal-Directed Prospection Can Offset the Strain of Commuting

by Jon M. Jachimowicz, Julia J. Lee, Bradley R. Staats, Jochen I. Menges, Francesca Gino

Employees often say commuting is the least desirable time period of the day. Those who use the time to think about the future in terms of goals to pursue can turn the daily hassle of commuting into something useful and meaningful. While to some extent commuting time may be outside employees’ control, they are nonetheless in charge of their commute.

Hazard Warning: The Unacceptable Cost of Toxic Workers

by Roberta Holland

As much as a firm gains by hiring a superstar, it loses twice that much by hiring a toxic worker. Dylan Minor details the troubles brought by creepy co-workers. Open for comment; 0 Comments.

Why Do Leaders Get Their Timing Wrong?

by James Heskett

SUMMING UP: Is good management timing primarily a function of strategy or culture? James Heskett's readers add their opinions. What do YOU think? Open for comment; 0 Comments.