Problem Focused Coping Strategies & Self Managed Teams

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1. How has Coca cola used problem focused coping strategies for individuals to solve issues in their organization?

Problem focused coping strategies are those strategies that often target the source of the problem to be coped with in a practical manner tackling the source of the problem and thereby the reducing the intensity of the problem being experienced. Such strategies therefore involve taking action to tackle the source of a problem or to avoid a threatening source in order to reduce the problem. Problem focused strategies can include gathering information on a particular issue, planning, making decisions, resolving conflicts, and evaluating the pros and cons of a problem. This king of coping strategy is therefore often directed at acquiring resources that can help in dealing with an underlying problem and may include task oriented, situation-specific and instrumental actions where these are often used when people feel that the problem can be resolved (Carver, Weintraub & Scheier, 1989; Mcleod, 2010).

Coca Cola Company is a leading global beverage producer and supplier in the world with over 700,000 associates in its company all over the world. The individuals in Coca Cola company have various problem focused coping strategies in the workplace that try to resolve various sources of the problems they may be facing and thereby reducing or eliminating the intensity of the problems faced (The Coca-Cola Company, 2011).

The Coca Cola company has made such problem focused coping strategies available in the company. The most prominent way that Coca-Cola does this is through its employee wellness program. In this the company has created a wellness philosophy and program mainly based on health promotion programs. It aims to enhance the health of its workers within the workforce. This strategy is mainly aimed to solve underlying employee health problems in the workplace translating to less human errors in their work, less workplace injuries, and a more harmonious working environment. This program not only helps employees in coping with several of their personal health problems, but is also effective in helping reduce stress (Bridgeford, 2010).

The problem of employee absenteeism in most organizations is mainly due to anxiety, or depression, co worker conflict or negative relationships in the workplace. The Employee Wellness Program which is a strategy mainly focused in a practical manner tackling the source of the problem and thereby the reducing the intensity of the problem being experienced through gathering information on a particular issue, planning, and making decisions in resolving these underlying sources of absenteeism problem. This has resulted to fewer sick days, reduced insurance and health costs, reduced worker compensation claims, and thereby reduced absenteeism and improve employee productivity and performance. Coca cola company save about $500 per employee per year after implementing the program with more than 60% of its workforce participating in the wellness program (Natural Healthcare, 2010). This has solves underlying issues of multiple problems such as low employee productivity, absenteeism, or performance levels.

Coca Cola's core business philosophy of ensuring its employees are treated fairly and with respect is another key to ...