Should I stay or should I go? David Cameron’s negotiation style with the EU

David Cameron’s veto at the recent EU summit has given us all something to talk about. At OPP, the whole episode has been a reminder of the variety of ways that a person might approach conflict and negotiation.

From reports of Cameron’s approach, it appears that he saved up his demands until late in the negotiations, then, as his stipulations were rejected, he withdrew his support and used his veto. As a result, he’s been accused of being a poor negotiator by some and as a decisive leader by others. How would a psychologist describe his approach? Here’s my take…

Handling stress at Christmas time

The festive period is nearly upon us. It’s a time of great happiness for many. However, it can also be very stressful. This is illustrated by some research we conducted earlier this year, in which only 38% of people told us that they didn’t find Christmas at all stressful.

So, how can we learn to recognise the warning signs of stress during the holiday period - both for ourselves and others? What can we do to avoid a meltdown? Failing that, how can we ensure a swift return to normality afterwards?

News travels fast – social media and employer brand

Apple recently dismissed an employee who had made negative remarks about the brand and its flagship products on social media. Apparently triggered by a failed transfer opportunity, the employee was told his remarks could have seriously damaged the brand - which at Apple is king.

The ‘psychological contract’ between employer and employee usually means there is a line of respect which neither crosses, but the danger with the contract today is that when the line is crossed, the fallout may just get broadcast to millions of people.

A lost generation?

With official figures reporting that youth unemployment has reached the 1 million mark, a 17 year high, it appears that young people have been the hardest hit by the economic slowdown.  

Reports suggest that rising youth unemployment is creating a ‘lost generation’ of young people, ‘at risk of debt, depression and self-loathing.’ More specifically, the long-term impact of youth unemployment can have serious consequences at a society level, in terms of the skill levels of our future workforce. If many young people are unemployed, and therefore not gaining useful skills and experience from employment, this can impact on their future employability. While this can have serious impact on the economy, it can also have adverse consequences for the individual.