Transforming the workplace: insights from positive psychology
1. Bringing the Science of Happiness to Work:
Insights from Positive Psychology
John Weaver, Psy.D.
June 18, 2010
2. Productivity and Psychological Health
Two thirds of both men and women say that work has a significant
impact on their stress level, and one in four has called in sick or taken a
Mental Health Day as a result of work stress. (APA, 2004)
3. Workers who must take time
off because of stress, anxiety,
or a related disorder will be
off the job for about 21
days (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
4. Depression results in
more days of
disability than
chronic health
conditions such as
heart disease,
hypertension, and
diabetes (National Committee
for Quality Assurance, 2004).
5. 80% to 90% of all industrial accidents
are likely related to personal problems
and employees’ inability to handle stress
6. Companies with higher revenue growth are better at
motivating employees and provide more
opportunities for growth and development.
7. Employee engagement levels in these high-
performing organizations are more than 20% higher
than those of their counterparts (Hewett Associates,
2004).
8. Positive Psychology at Work
Job Satisfaction research
Confused research results
When job satisfaction matters for the success
of the business
18. The brain is more like a
muscle than we ever
thought…
19.
20.
21.
22. The real miracle is not to walk on
water or thin air but to walk on the
earth!
- Thich Nhat Hahn
23. by
John Weaver, Psy.D.
Nancy Brady-Freitag, Ph.D.
Kathie Koenig, LCSW, CEAP
Terrill L. Bruett, Ed.D.
Paul Kenneth Glass, Ph.D.
Robert Verwert, Ph.D.
Order at www.preventingdepression.com Trainer Manual
24. Selected Bibliography
• Gilbert, D. (2006) Stumbling on Happiness. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
• Lambert, K. (2008). Lifting Depression. New York: Basic Books.
• Lyubomirsky, S. (2008) The How of Happiness. New York: Penguing
Press.
• Pert, C. & Marriott, N. (2006). Everything You Need to Feel Go(o)d.
Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.
• Prochaska, J., Norcross, J., & DiClemente. (1994). Changing for Good.
New York: Avon Books.
• Revich, K. & Shatte, A. (2002). The Resilience Factor. New York:
Broadway Books.
• Sapolsky, R. (1994). Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. New York: W.H.
Freeman and Company.
• Seigel, Z; Williams, J.M., & Teasdale, J. (2002). Mindfulness Based
Cognitive Therapy for Depression. New York: Guilford Press.
• Seligman , M.E.P. (1991). Learned Optimism. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
25. John Weaver, Psy.D.
Director of the Healthy Thinking Initiative
2717 North Grandview Boulevard, Suite 303
Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188
www.preventingdepression.com
(262) 544-6486
jweaver@preventingdepression.com
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