Vol. 4, No. 1, Spring 1995

Classification System Proposed for Workplace Behavior

By Len Sperry, MD, PhD,
Contributing Editor

Diagnostic Categories of Individual and Organizational Dysfunction

I. Dysfunctional organizational working conditions

1. Strategy/structure mismatch

• Inappropriate organizational design i.e. (organizational structure too hierarchical, flat, or out of control, too large to accomplish goals/mission)
• Organizational goals/operating system incompatibility

2. Structural problems

• Deficiencies in operational structure (i.e. policies, procedures, etc.)
• Role conflict/role ambiguity/reporting relations problems
• Insufficient reward system (advancement opportunities, salary, fringe benefits, etc.)

3. Environmental problems

• Internal
  • Toxic exposure/occupational hazards
  • Extreme physical conditions (temperature, noise, etc.)
  • Workplace crises (i.e. violence, strike, death of a senior executive, etc.)
• External
  • Crises (i.e. forced product recall, hostile takeover, loss of major contract, etc.)
  • Increased competition/decreased market value

4. Job design problems

• High job strain
• Role overload
• Inadequate resources, supplies, or support facilities
• Inappropriate or ambiguous job requirements
• Ergonomic incapatibility

5.Job-person mismatch

• Under-qualified/role insufficiency
• Lack of job or organizational fit
• Scheduling problems: shift/rotating shift stressors, etc.

6.Strategy/structure/culture problems

• Merger syndrome
• Re-engineering syndrome
• Oppositionality by members of informal organization

7.Neurotic cultural styles

• Dramatic
• Paranoid
• Compulsive
• Depressive
• Schizoid

8.Intergroup conflicts/productivity issues

• Differences in operational goals/perceptions
• Inappropriate intergroup competition
• Scapegoating/stereotyping and other communication problems

9.Intragroup conflicts/productivity issues

• Team functioning skill deficits
• Interpersonal strain

• Unqualified for position
• Improper/inadequate training

11. Authority problems/issues

• Leadership followership style conflicts
• Unresolved family-of-origin conflicts or personality style/disorder issues

II. Disturbances in capacity to work

12. Over/undercommitment

• Underachievement
• Temporary production impediments
• Procrastination
• Fear of success
• Fear of failure
• Work addiction
• Type A behavior pattern
• Burnout

13. Neurotic work styles

• Avoidant
• Antisocial
• Borderline
• Dependent
• Histrionic
• Narcissistic
• Obsessive-compulsive
• Paranoid
• Passive-aggressive
• Schizoid/schizotypal

14. Life role conflicts

• Career decision/implementation problems
• Work-family conflicts/issues
  • Inflexible scheduling/leave policies
  • Career dysynchrony between married spouses
  • Child or elder care issues
  • Chronic terminal illness of a family member

15. Other work difficulties/disorders

• Perceptual inaccuracies
• Performance anxiety
• DSM IV, Axis I; II; III

 
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