Sudden boost in status at work isn't good

Washington: As per a new study, sudden boost in status at work, which changes you from a largely ignored worker to someone that others turn to for advice and help, may not be all good.

Ohio State University researchers studied American employees of a Japanese firm who didn't enjoy particularly high status with the company, until it adopted English as its official language. Then, all of a sudden, Japanese employees who didn't speak English had to rely a lot more on their American counterparts.

While the American employees enjoyed their sudden boost in status, they also had some misgivings, said co-author Tracy Dumas, adding that it wasn't all positive. It was very obvious that the American employees knew that they lucked into this change of status and were very aware that the status boost was not tied to their performance or achievement.

Dumas noted that they had a feeling that their good luck was unstable that another new policy could reverse their good fortune.

The study, which highlights the dynamic nature of status in organizations, whereas other studies often treat status as a stable property, you have high status or you don't, also shows that the experience of status gains at work, typically viewed as completely positive may be more complex than often assumed, Dumas said.

Dumas said that, before English was named the official language, the American employees generally felt lower in status than their Japanese counterparts, and perceived limitations to their opportunities for advancement in the company. After the announcement, the Americans saw their status rising within the company, but with some uncomfortable side effects.

Dumas noted that managers have to consider how changes will shape power and status dynamics and how people work together and they need to realize that even employees who have seen a boost in status may be experiencing some negative feelings about the change.