What is the psychological contract? How do the psychological contracts of professional workers change over time? Do professional workers feel more committed to their profession or to their employing organization? Can psychological contracts be 'managed'? These are some of the key questions addressed by this book in its examination of the role played by the psychological contract in the developing careers of professional workers. The book seeks to make sense of the organizational experiences of the professional worker by drawing on several areas of research, including the psychological contract, social identity theory, theories of career development and retention. The author uses real-life examples and short case studies to situate psychological theory within organizations. Beginning with an introduction of the history and concept of the psychological contract, the book provides an overview of the major areas of research. However it goes beyond a simple description to focus on the careers of professional workers, from factors influencing the entrance into a profession, to the process of developing professional identities and career progression. The developing professional career may involve a progression to managerial responsibilities which can lead to organizational conflict. The book offers insights into the influence of the psychological contract when it comes to critical career decisions, including a discussion of the consequences of psychological contract violation. Finally the role of HR is examined with reference to the 'management' of the psychological contract and the retention of key professional workers within organizations. The book is key reading for all psychology students, especially those specializing in occupational, organizational, work and business psychology. It will also be of interest to HR students and HR professionals, business students and health professionals.

The psychological contract lies at the heart of your relationship with the organisation you work for. It is the deal you make with your employer and colleagues at work; it is about your mutual expectations and their fulfilment. Too often this contract is implicit and left to chance, resulting in misunderstanding, stress, lower commitment and performance. The author demonstrates how to use the psychological contract to raise the business game and increase personal fulfilment. Managing the Psychological Contract is the first book which shows how the psychological contract can be used in practice. In it Michael Wellin advocates going beyond the traditional static view of the psychological contract between the organisation and its employees. He shows how to create unique and dynamic customised Personal Deals between people and teams. He does this by showing how to make personal deals explicit and mutual, and provides practical tips for leaders, employees and HR professionals. Separate chapters are devoted to leadership, culture change and strategic HR management. There is also a chapter of practical ideas for individuals who want to change their personal deal at work. The author's ideas are based on his own research and consultancy experience as well as the latest business school research. The book has a number of case studies showing how different organisations use the psychological contract. This is an important and extremely readable book for all those concerned with the improved performance of people and organisations.

Bringing together a wide range of theory from social and cognitive psychology, organizational behaviour, organizational learning and the management of change, this text draws useful conclusions about important psychological processes.

This book introduces the psychological contract as a multi-level contextual construct and closes some of the knowledge gaps on the nature of the digital era psychological contract. The digital era psychological contract gives rise to a new type of employer-employee relationship manifesting at the nexus between people and technology in a post-COVID-19 world. The book volume provides promising new approaches for psychological contract research, offering a rich compendium of reflections on the shifts in employer-employee expectations and obligations, as well as suggestions for future research and practice. Chapter contributions are divided into four main sections: The Digital Era: Contextual Issues and the Psychological Contract Managing the Psychological Contract in the Digital Era: Issues for Organisational Practice Managing the Psychological Contract in the Digital Era: Issues of Diversity Integration and Conclusion Redefining the Psychological Contract in the Digital Era is an insightful examination of the evolving nature of the psychological contract, presenting novel insights into the antecedents, consequences, and facets of the new multi-level contextual digital era psychological contract. The primary audience for this book volume is advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in industrial and organisational psychology and human resource management, as well as scholars in both academic and applied work settings. Human resource managers and professionals will also have an interest in this book volume.

Contains 15 essays which discuss from diverse national perspectives obligations workers owe their employers and those owed by employers to their employees.

How can we understand the relationship between employer and employee? What determines the give and take of such relationships and what happens when they go wrong? This text is a comprehensive overview of what is now the major way of trying to understand the employment relationship - the concept of the psychological contract.

Analyzes key critical HR variables and defines previously undiscovered issues in the HR field.