Structural influences on help-seeking behavior in the workplace

Abstract

This research examines the issue of recruitment to workplace literacy assistance programs and uses concepts identified and developed from varied literatures and field interviews in three experimental studies of help-seeking behavior in the workplace. The results indicate that supervisory support is critical in encouraging employees to seek help for skill deficiencies that may be perceived as stigmatizing. The anonymity of the program appears to lessen the perceived costs of such a decision. On the other hand, pressure (manipulated as counselling about a work problem) serves primarily to lessen the perceived supportiveness of the supervisor. Limitations and areas for future research are discussed.