Month: May 2026

Labor unions have played a significant role in improving workplace safety, fair wages, and employee rights. I found that after researching the pros and cons of unions and what being in a union entail, unions can benefit both organizations and employees, such as through collective barging, stronger job security, employees can gain a stronger voice in the workplace. This is because of how employees are often able to negotiate benefits, safer working conditions and overall better pay. From a broader perspective, unions have helped benefit society overall through establishing labor standards, even with some drawbacks. Although there are also some disadvantages, such as higher labor costs and negotiations between unions and management can sometimes create conflict or slow decision-making. Workers might also disagree with the protection of workers who underperformed, as well as having to pay union dues.

I have recently been in contact with someone who has worked in a unionized workplace for a few years, describing the experience as having mostly positive impacts on their career and benefits, but taking some dislike towards the amount of time that negotiations took. However, they appreciated the overall support of the union´s presence. Based on my research and this week’s materials that we reviewed, I would consider joining a union if employees were being treated unfairly or lacked proper workplace protections. Which is why I believe unions can be very be  very beneficial in unsafe or unfair workplaces. If a company already provided fair pay, good communication, and strong employee support, I would be less likely to feel a union was necessary in my career.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that stress is not always caused by being busy, not getting to spend enough time with family and friends, as well as not having time for hobbies. Stress becomes more difficult to manage when I do not take time to rest, recharge, or maintain balance in my daily routine. As I continue into my professional career, I want to be more proactive about managing stress before it becomes overwhelming, as the test scores showed that I am a “somewhat stressed” individual, meaning I am currently balancing my life but could improve taking care of my mental health and stress levels. Some strategies I plan to focus on include improving my time management, setting realistic goals, exercising consistently, getting enough sleep, and creating healthier boundaries between work and personal life. I have also noticed that taking breaks and making time for activities I enjoy helps me stay focused and avoid burnout.

Research shows that stress and burnout are major concerns for organizations because they affect employee health, morale, and productivity. According to the American Psychological Association (2023), chronic stress can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other long-term health problems. Many organizations now offer Employee Assistance Programs, wellness initiatives, flexible schedules, and mental health resources to better support employees and create positive workplace environments. Overall, this activity helped me recognize the importance of developing healthy coping habits early in my career. Managing stress effectively will improve both my personal well-being and professional success.

A few years ago, my dad accepted a new job offer even though he genuinely enjoyed the company where he was working before he received the new opportunity. He liked his coworkers, had a flexible schedule, and felt comfortable in the work environment. However, after several years with the company, he realized there was very little opportunity for salary growth and professional development. His raise was often minimal and employees who consistently performed well were not rewarded much differently than those who only met minimum expectations. He started feeling that his hard work was not being recognized financially or by the higher ups within the company. Although he still completed his responsibilities, his motivation declined because there was little incentive to put in extra effort. When another company approached him with a better offer, he decided to accept it, even though leaving his current team was a risky and difficult decision.

The new position offered a significantly higher salary, annual performance bonuses and other necessary benefits. The compensation structure made him feel valued and appreciated for his skills and experiences. I believe compensation strongly motivated his behavior because it influenced both his financial stability, as well as his perception of fairness in the workplace. Even though work culture and job satisfaction are important, employees want to feel praised for their effort and contributions, being rewarded appropriately. In his case, the improved compensation package gave him a stronger sense of professional recognition and security, which motivated him to go for the opportunity, proving that compensation can directly affect employee decisions, motivation, and long-term commitment to an organization.