Work structures, work cultures and wellbeing in turbulent times

Organizations function in uncertain environments, where turbulence may arise from economic factors like competition and mergers, as well as external factors like national and international events. What we know is that turbulence and change often coexist, with organizations being required to respond to and adapt to change, while at the same time coping with turbulence. Generally, organizations respond by initiating structural change as a way of adapting to turbulence, and subsequently re-shaping their organizational culture, both of which have a major impact on employees’ wellbeing. In this chapter, we use the COVID-19 pandemic as an example to consider the ways in which organizations have restructured work to continue their operations and examine the impact of these changes on the wellbeing of employees. Change in structure is discussed as a way of encouraging successful cultural change, which may then assist in managing future uncertainty.