WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY FOR IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY: A GENDERED PERSPECTIVE

Yıl 2017, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 143 - 156, 01.06.2017

Shikha Vyas-doorgapersad

Öz

There are a very few studies available to gain insight into the impact of yoga and
alternative therapies1 on stress management, conflict resolution and work
productivity. In previous studies the focus fell on the gendered perspective,
exploring the impact of spiritual modalities on the physical and mental wellness of
male and female employees. Spiritual practices such as yoga and other alternative
therapies have been found to be significant to enhance work productivity, hence be
part of organisational wellness programmes. However, this aspect is not fully
implemented due to various reasons including a lack of spiritual understanding,
religious preferences and organisational cultures. The aim of this article is to expand
upon and enhance this analysis by aligning spiritual practices to workplace
productivity. Books, journal articles, dissertations, and conference proceedings
dealing with spirituality at the workplace were reviewed. Based on the literature
available, two hypotheses are explored, namely (a) that workplace spirituality
enhances employee wellness and has a positive impact on improved productivity;
and (b) that workplace spirituality impacts differently on male and female
employees (gendered perspective) and leads to improved productivity. The article
formulates a model called Workplace Spirituality for Gender-based Productivity
(WSG-bP) for consideration under the umbrella of existing Employee Work
Wellness programmes

Anahtar Kelimeler

gender, spirituality, workplace spirituality, productivity, employee wellness