Line management in emergency services occupations: Exploring personal challenges and organizational change in a uniformed culture

TY - CHAP

T1 - Line management in emergency services occupations

T2 - Exploring personal challenges and organizational change in a uniformed culture

AU - McCann, Leo

AU - Mildenhall, Joanne

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - This chapter provides sociocultural insights into line management and organisational culture in emergency response organisations. Based on personal reflections of working in the UK ambulance service, we highlight the various challenges and tensions of line management associated with the intensity of working within a complex and demanding environment. Broader analysis emphasises the developments and struggles of a changing organisational climate characterised by high strain, conflict, and demand pressures which are posing new problems of their own. Furthermore, we discuss how, in a high-stakes environment, heightened workplace intensity places considerable risk, strain, exhaustion and stress on all staff and perhaps especially on the shoulders of line managers, whose support is undoubtedly critical to the wellbeing of employees and the success of the organisation.

AB - This chapter provides sociocultural insights into line management and organisational culture in emergency response organisations. Based on personal reflections of working in the UK ambulance service, we highlight the various challenges and tensions of line management associated with the intensity of working within a complex and demanding environment. Broader analysis emphasises the developments and struggles of a changing organisational climate characterised by high strain, conflict, and demand pressures which are posing new problems of their own. Furthermore, we discuss how, in a high-stakes environment, heightened workplace intensity places considerable risk, strain, exhaustion and stress on all staff and perhaps especially on the shoulders of line managers, whose support is undoubtedly critical to the wellbeing of employees and the success of the organisation.

KW - Compassion

KW - Emergency Services

KW - Employee Welfare

KW - Occupational Culture

KW - Professionalism

KW - Uniformed Workplaces

UR - https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-on-line-managers-9781839102738.html

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781839102738

SN - 9781035340545

SP - 320

EP - 333

BT - Research Handbook on Line Managers

A2 - Townsend, Keith

A2 - Bos-Nehles, Anna

A2 - Jiang, Kaifeng

PB - Edward Elgar Publishing

ER -