PROMOTING SPCIAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH TRAINING IN ASSERTIVENESS

Abstract

Although social health has not been as prominent as the other two aspects. of health - physical and mental, it is by no means less important because complete health cannot be achieved without it.Social health has been basically described in terms of interpersonal relationship and social equity and justice. Poor relationship in the workplace results in conflicts, workplace violence, bullying, mobbing, harassment and the like which have damaging effects on work productivity and company image. The paper reviewed the three ways in. which people relate to one another - aggressiveness, non-assertiveness assertiveness and the dynamics of these relationships in the workplace. Assertiveness training as an intervention was therefore,proposed against the backdrop of its establiShed effectiveness in helping people resist manipulations of aggressive individuals especially office administrators/managers to effectively direct their subordinates without violatiiag their rights. The paper recommended among others that corporate organizations should endeavour to employ adequate professionals such as occupational health promoters, psychologists and social workers to help maintain the employees' social wellness through appropriate social health interventions such astraining in assertiveness.