Kasun Maddumahewa

  Outbound Training (OBT)   What is Outbound Training? Outbound Training (OBT), also known as Adventure-based Learning, is an experiential approach aimed at boosting employee performance and effectiveness through interactive activities and team-building exercises. Unlike traditional classroom learning, OBT uses Adult Learning Principles by involving participants in outdoor activities and games designed to develop personal and interpersonal skills in realistic, dynamic environments. Research by Arachchige (2020) highlights the effectiveness of OBT in improving interpersonal relationships, trust, communication of shared goals, motivation, adapting behaviors to changes, and personal effectiveness. The concept of Outbound Training originated in the 1940s, developed by Dr. Kurt Hahn. According to Karunawardhana (2016), OBT involves taking participants out of their usual environments (such as classrooms or workplaces) into scenic outdoor settings, providing training in a...

Napping at Work If you ever visit China and step into a company around lunchtime, you’ll likely find employees retreating to their cubicles, pulling out rollaway camp beds from under their desks, or reclining in their chairs for a quick nap. With office lights dimmed and blinds drawn, they take a brief but refreshing break. In many parts of the world, napping is typically associated with young children or the elderly, making it surprising that in China, it is a deeply ingrained daily habit. While it might seem like this extends office hours, it doesn’t. Most workplaces operate from 8:00–8:30 AM to 5:00–5:30 PM. Instead, this midday rest serves as a natural pause, helping employees recharge and reducing the mid-afternoon productivity slump. Many employees describe the experience as “like taking a shower”—refreshing and revitalizing, leaving them re-energized for the rest of the day. Beyond its practical benefits, the practice has cultural and health-related significance. Midday naps coi...

Occupational Stress Today's competitive market is putting a lot of pressure on professionals, affecting their mental and physical health. Whether they are entrepreneurs, managers, or employees, everyone is constantly pushed to meet their goals. If you're experiencing stress in the workplace, you might notice changes in the ways you work, because of the way your thoughts and feelings affect you.   Work stress is defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when job requirements do not match the worker’s capabilities, resources, and needs (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 1999).  Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity (World Health Organization: WHO, 2024). Followings are the key factors that contribute to work related stress, and they need to be managed. A lack of control of our workload High demands on our time and ...

  Employee Turnover If you lose something valuable that belongs to you, it results in a total loss. Similarly, losing a valuable employee whether in a product oriented or service oriented organization can be a significant loss to the company. It is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of employee turnover, including its causes, consequences, and strategies managers can use to reduce it. Managers must recognize employees as key contributors to the organization's success. Employee turnover falls into two main categories as  voluntary and involuntary . Voluntary turnover occurs when an employee chooses to leave, while involuntary turnover refers to cases where an employee is terminated. Voluntary turnover occurs when an employee leaves for reasons such as finding a new job opportunity, experiencing health issues, choosing to care for family, migrating to another country, or starting their own business. Involuntary turnover includes employee terminations due to specif...