Practical Steps for Positive Workplaces (online)

Overview

Being able to enjoy our lives and our work is important. In our post-pandemic age, the focus on wellbeing at work is sharper, and we are beginning to consider the elements of workplaces which are problematic.

This course introduces delegates to the fundamentals of human performance in the workplace: motivation, personality, and interpersonal behaviour through culture. These are all elements where difficulties can arise, and where a clear mechanism for identifying toxicity can be a first step to change for the better.

We will look at how unmanageable workloads, those which are demanding and stressful, which eat into recreational time and sleep cycles, can be better managed. Suggestions for regaining optimal performance levels - good engagement for the long term, will be offered.

We will also consider the effects of problem cultures (e.g. where individuals are singled out, where the environment is not psychologically safe, where equity is not guaranteed), and what can be done to improve the situation, or re-frame it so that more effective working practice can be achieved.

The third source of disruption we see in workplaces comes from individuals, and it is often these individuals who can do the most damage: capable of devious and careless behaviour which can destroy people, teams and ultimately, their organisations. We will explore the underpinnings and the outcomes of their behaviour, when often people find they lack a proper vocabulary to define what is happening to them, and unaffected co-workers seem unable or unwilling to recognise the problem.

This course takes a positive view of the potential sources of problems in our workplaces, opens the lid on otherwise unspoken toxic behaviour, and provides the terminology to recognise, identify and verbalise poor workplace practice. Participants will learn about psychological tools and techniques to recognise and protect themselves, and be introduced to self-repair strategies to facilitate better mental health.

Programme details

This course is open to all and uses the context of the workplace to discuss problem culture and pathological behaviour.

Using an evidence base and case study, participants will explore culture and workload, and have the opportunity to consider the nature of toxic individuals, explore their pathological personality traits, and learn to identify the signs and strategies they employ. Finally strategies to recover to optimal functioning, with demonstrable benefits to organisations, will be covered.

Key Themes 

  • Identifying elements of culture, and how they might be toxic
  • Expectations and management of problem workloads
  • Identifying pathology in personality
  • Recovery and maintenance of optimal performance and for good mental health
  • Survival strategies

By the end of the course you will be able to: 

  • Identify and describe elements of workplace toxicity
  • Recognise the signs and strategies of the pathological personality in the workplace
  • Use strategies to protect yourself from some of the negative effects of workplace problems
  • Use recovery strategies to return to optimal functioning

Dates, times and delivery 

Sessions will be held over Microsoft Teams. 

The course will be delivered in four 1.5-hour sessions, from 11:00 - 12:30 UK time on:

  • Monday 10 February
  • Tuesday 11 February
  • Wednesday 12 February
  • Thursday 13 February

A world clock, and time zone converter can be found here: https://bit.ly/3bSPu6D

To support the online sessions, you should actively engage in offline activities, such as the introductory tasks. 

This is a ‘virtual classroom’ course. To replicate the experience of a classroom, the sessions are live and are not recorded. 

No attendance at Oxford is required and you do not need to purchase any software.

Accessing Your Online Course 

Details about accessing the private MS Teams course site will be emailed to you during the week prior to the course commencing.  

Please get in touch if you have not received this information within three working days of the course start date. 

Certification

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate.

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Standard course fee £465.00

Payment

Fees include electronic copies of course materials.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Please note that places are subject to availability, with classes limited to 20 people.

Register immediately online 

Click the 'Book now' button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Tutor

Dr Jane Pollock

Course Director

Independent Consultant and Researcher

Jane is a Chartered Psychologist, an Independent Consultant in Organisational Psychology, and a tutor and lecturer in Psychology and Statistics. She has a history of highly successful courses in both Psychology and Business streams, and takes a practical approach to a subject crucial to the success of people in organisations.

Application

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please click the 'Ask a question' button at the top of this page.

IT requirements

This course is delivered online using Microsoft Teams. You will be required to follow and implement the instructions we send you to fully access Microsoft Teams on the University of Oxford's secure IT network.

To participate you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

It is advised to use headphones with working speakers and microphone.