Is Workplace Stress Negotiable?
I just finished writing an article advising people to beware of the collateral damage that certain career choices can incur. Specifically, I pointed out, from personal experience and observation, that practicing law and the retail automotive industry can be hazardous to our health. These are pressure-cookers that can elevate blood pressure, contribute to other nervous conditions, and even spawn addictions, though these maladies were beyond the scope of my article. Still, they bear mentioning, here. I teach “Best Practices in Negotiation” at UCLA and UC Berkeley Extension, as well as privately, at corporations and other organizations. I also consult in the area, and one topic in which I’m especially interested is workplace negotiations. Typically, we discuss salaries, benefits, job assignments, setting and re-setting occupational objectives, and criteria for evaluating job performance. In one case, called “Bud & Shirley,” we get into the thorny issue of workplace stress, focusing on an
