Document EqQzpa2kqxaX2BO5Oj8Ydbgbj

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY evaluate in advance the consequences of end result is the same, relief from the intol action. erable tension, and emotional relaxation. Motivational effect of emotion Not all emobon leads to maladjusbve be havior. Under certain circumstances, mild emotion can work the same way as do mobvabonal factors to elicit desired acbvity Giving recognition for a good safety record makes an individual happy and desirous of carrying on such excellent work An indi vidual who is angry after a sbght from his supervisor may become motivated to be more proficient on his job, or take up fur ther training to become a supervisor just to show his boss that he can do it There are a multitude of examples of emobonal reac tions which have worked for the benefit of the individual In spite of this, one must be aware that strong emotional reactions can have very undesirable results It is important that there should be few threats, slights, and reprimands of a kind that stirs up emotions, and more attempts to keep individuals calm and the work atmosphere free of tension The net result will be in the asset column Be a good listener While no attempt can be made here to tram safety directors or foremen to become personnel counselors, it should be pointed out that there is some thing they can do to help reduce the im mediate result of strong emobon The foreman is in the best position to evaluate the emotional level of an individual worker and to do something about it To reduce the strength of the emobonal response, the foreman can engage in what may be called pemustoe listening, that is, giving the employee an opportunity to talk about the thing which is bothering him This freedom to say what the indi vidual pleases can reduce tension which might lead to distraction and accidents It is important that the supervisor not at tempt to evaluate or judge the employee's remarks The employee needs an opportunty to "blow off steam" without retaliation or evaluation The stresses which cause emobonal up set can occur within the plant or away from the plant, but each land has its effect on the other A simple statement, such as "How are you today?" or "What's bothering you51," may well be sufficient to set off the safety valve of verbalization of pent-up emotion After the discussion, the employee can often evaluate more clearly and realistically the things that upset him in the first place This relationship between the supervisor and the worker must be one of the super visor's normal everyday functions Thorough observation and effective and sensitive lis tening should be tools of every supervisor Everyone is familiar with the emotional outbursts of people who have had a trying and upsetting experi ence Such expression of emotion may take many forms from an outburst of invective, a torrent of tears, to physical assault on in animate objects which can't strike back The "To reduce the strength of the emotional response, the foreman can engage in what may be called 'permissive listening.'" 5-16