Organisational Change

4.1.1 Reactions to Change

When employees realise that changes will benefit them, they welcome the changes. For instance, the vast majority of employees will welcome a reduction in work hours without a reduction in salary. However, most of us are generally uncomfortable with changes that are not perceived as directly beneficial to us or if we are uncertain about how they will affect us personally. The ambiguity of the unknown compared to the comfort of living with the known procedures and systems of the present is difficult for many of us to look forward to. Also, if it is a small change which results in slight discomfort, we may not mind it very much. For example, an office order is issued stating that from January 1 of the following year, all ...