Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ethics of Mindfulness in Organizations

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Practitioner's Guide to Ethics and Mindfulness-Based Interventions

Part of the book series: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health ((MIBH))

  • 1985 Accesses

Abstract

In this section, I examine the ethics of bringing mindfulness-based programs into secular settings that do not necessarily embody the ethics typically associated with Buddhism or with Buddhist practice. This has been seen as particularly problematic when the Buddhist practice of mindfulness is introduced into organizational settings. There are two ethical concerns critical to delivering MBPs in organizations that require examination. The first ethical concern I address in this chapter is the potential of MBPs to result in significantly distressing emotions or experiences. The second ethical concern is rooted in the different expectations and impact an MBP has on the employee attending the program and the organization sponsoring the program. Issues such as the format of an MBP, clarity of outcomes, and managing the possible divergent expectations of employee and employer are examined.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahola, K., Virtanen, M., Honkonen, T., Isometsä, E., Aromaa, A., & Lönnqvist, J. (2011). Common mental disorders and subsequent work disability: A population-based Health 2000 Study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 134(1–3), 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.05.028

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, K. (2006). The great transformation: the beginning of our religious traditions. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. (2015). Ethics, values, virtues, and character strengths in mindfulness-based interventions: A psychological science perspective. Mindfulness, 6(4), 956–959.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, R. A., Carmody, J., & Hunsinger, M. (2012). Weekly change in mindfulness and perceived stress in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(7), 755–765. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21865

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bajaj, B., Gupta, R., & Pande, N. (2016). Self-esteem mediates the relationship between mindfulness and well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 94, 96–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.01.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bajaj, B., & Pande, N. (2016). Mediating role of resilience in the impact of mindfulness on life satisfaction and affect as indices of subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 93, 63–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.09.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barkham, M., Hardy, G. E., & Mellor-Clark, J. (2010a). Developing and delivering practice-based evidence: A guide for the psychological therapies. Chichester, West Sussex; Malden, MA: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkham, M., Hardy, G. E., & Mellor-Clark, J. (Eds.). (2010b). Developing and delivering practice-based evidence: A guide for the psychological therapies. Malden, MA: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkham, M., Stiles, W., Lambert, M. J., & Mello-Clark, J. (2010). Building a rigorous and relevant knowledge base for the psychological therapies. In M. Barkham, G. Hardy, & J. Mello-Clark (Eds.), Developing and delivering practice-based evidence. Malden, MA: Wiley.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Batchelor, S. (1998). Buddhism without beliefs: A contemporary guide to awakening. New York: Riverhead Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, H., & Härter, M. (2007). Prevalence of mental disorders based on general population surveys. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 42(7), 537–546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0204-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biron, C. a. (2014). Creating healthy workplaces: Stress reduction, improved well-being, and organizational effectiveness. Farnham, England: Gower.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchholz, L. (2015). Exploring the promise of mindfulness as medicine. JAMA, 314(13), 1327–1329. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.7023

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, R. (2009). Working to live or living to work: Should individuals and organizations care? Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 167–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9703-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, E., & Tobias, J. (2015). Mind the gap: The link between mindfulness and performance at work needs more attention. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(4), 629–633. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coffey, K. A., Hartman, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2010). Deconstructing mindfulness and constructing mental health: Understanding mindfulness and its mechanisms of action. Mindfulness, 1(4), 235–253. doi:10.1007/s12671-010-0033-2

  • Connolly, C., Stuhlmacher, A., & Cellar, D. (2015). Be mindful of motives for mindfulness training. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(4), 679–682. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. D. (2017). Mindfulness interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 491–516. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-042716-051139

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dewa, C. S., Lin, E., Kooehoorn, M., & Goldner, E. (2007). Association of chronic work stress, psychiatric disorders, and chronic physical conditions with disability among workers. Psychiatric Services, 58(5), 652–658. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.58.5.652

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diestel, S., & Schmidt, K.-H. (2011). Costs of simultaneous coping with emotional dissonance and self-control demands at work: Results from two German samples. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(3), 643–653. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022134

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dobkin, P., Irving, J., & Amar, S. (2012). For whom may participation in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program be contraindicated? Mindfulness, 3(1), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-011-0079-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duxbury, L. E. (2008). Work-life conflict in Canada in the new millennium key findings and recommendations from the 2001 National Work-Life Conflict Study: Report six. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duxbury, L., Stevenson, M., & Higgins, C. (2017). Too much to do, too little time: Role overload and stress in a multi-role environment. International Journal of Stress Management. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000062

  • Galante, J., Galante, I., Bekkers, M.-J., & Gallacher, J. (2014). Effect of kindness-based meditation on health and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82(6), 1101–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garland, S. N., Carlson, L. E., Stephens, A. J., Antle, M. C., Samuels, C., & Campbell, T. S. (2014). Mindfulness-based stress reduction compared with cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of insomnia comorbid with cancer: A randomized, partially blinded, noninferiority trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 32(5), 449. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2012.47.7265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geller, R., Krasner, M., & Korones, D. (2010). Clinician self-care: The applications of mindfulness-based approaches in preventing professional burnout and compassion fatigue. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(2), 366–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2009.11.279

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gombrich, R. F. (2006). Theravāda Buddhism: A social history from ancient Benares to modern Colombo (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gombrich, R. F. (2009). What the Buddha thought. London: Equinox Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Good, D. J., Lyddy, C. J., Glomb, T. M., Bono, J. E., Brown, K. W., Duffy, M. K., … Lazar, S. W. (2016). Contemplating mindfulness at work. Journal of Management, 42(1), 114–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206315617003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, D. (2012). Maximising the benefits of psychotherapy: A practice-based evidence approach. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Grégoire, S., & Lachance, L. (2015). Evaluation of a brief mindfulness-based intervention to reduce psychological distress in the workplace. Mindfulness, 6(4), 836–847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0328-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halpern, J., & Maunder, R. G. (2011). Acute and chronic workplace stress in emergency medical technicians and paramedics. In J. Langan-Fox & C. L. Cooper (Eds.), Handbook of stress in the occupations (pp. 135–156). Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, C. A., Duxbury, L. E., & Lyons, S. T. (2010). Coping with overload and stress: Men and women in dual-earner families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(4), 847–859. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00734.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hülsheger, U. R. (2015). Making sure that mindfulness is promoted in organizations in the right way and for the right goals. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(4), 674–679. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J. E. M., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. B. (2013). Benefits of mindfulness at work: The role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 310–325. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031313

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hyland, P., Lee, R. A., & Mills, M. (2015). Mindfulness at work: A new approach to improving individual and organizational performance. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 8(4), 576–602. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2015.41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, D. R., Abbott, M. K., Beecher, M. E., Griner, D., Golightly, T. R., & Cannon, J. A. N. (2012). Taking the pulse of the group: The utilization of practice-based evidence in group psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43(4), 388–394. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living. New York: Delta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-zinn, J. (2011). Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 281–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/14639947.2011.564844

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karasek, R., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy work: Stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krasner, M. S., Epstein, R. M., Beckman, H., Suchman, A. L., Chapman, B., Mooney, C. J., & Quill, T. E. (2009). Association of an educational program in mindful communication with burnout, empathy, and attitudes among primary care physicians. JAMA, 302(12), 1284–1293. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.1384

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kuyken, W., Hayes, R., Barrett, B., Byng, R., Dalgleish, T., Kessler, D., … Byford, S. (2015). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared with maintenance antidepressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence (PREVENT): A randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62222-4

  • Leiter, M. P. (2015). Burnout. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindahl, J. R., Fisher, N. E., Cooper, D. J., Rosen, R. K., Britton, W. B., & Brown, K. W. (2017). The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists. PLoS ONE, 12(5). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0176239

  • Lomas, T., Cartwright, T., Edginton, T., & Ridge, D. (2015). A Qualitative analysis of experiential challenges associated with meditation practice. Mindfulness, 6(4), 848–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luchman, J. N., & González-Morales, M. G. (2013). Demands, control, and support: A meta-analytic review of work characteristics interrelationships. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 18(1), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030541

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60(3), 541–572. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2007.00083.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human competitive edge. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luthans, F., Youssef-Morgan, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2015). Psychological capital and beyond. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., Jackson, S. E., & Leiter, M. P. (1997). Maslach burnout inventory: Third edition. In C. P. Z. R. J. Wood (Ed.), Evaluating stress: A book of resources (pp. 191–218). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. b., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMahan, D. L. (2008). The making of Buddhist modernism. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNeill, W. (1998). Plagues and people. New York: Anchor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monteiro, L. M., Musten, R. F., & Compson, J. (2015). Traditional and contemporary mindfulness: Finding the middle path in the tangle of concerns. Mindfulness, 6(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0301-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, M. A. (2017). Back pain: CBT, mindfulness benefits diminish over time. (NEWS). Family Practice News, 47(4), 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, F. H., & Slone, L. B. (2014). Epidemiology of trauma and PTSD. In M. J. Friedman, T. M. Keane, & P. A. Resick (Eds.), Handbook of PTSD: Science and practice (2nd ed., pp. 100–120). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pines, A. M., Neal, M. B., Hammer, L. B., & Icekson, T. (2011). Job burnout and couple burnout in dual-earner couples in the sandwiched generation. Social Psychology Quarterly, 74(4), 361–386. https://doi.org/10.1177/0190272511422452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purser, R. (2015). Clearing the muddled path of traditional and contemporary mindfulness: A response to Monteiro, Musten, and Compson. Mindfulness, 6(1), 23–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-014-0373-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purser, R., & Loy, D. (2013). Beyond Mcmindfulness. The Huffington Post.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purser, R., & Milillo, J. (2015). Mindfulness revisited: A Buddhist-based conceptualization. Journal of Management Inquiry, 24(1), 3–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regehr, C., & Millar, D. (2007). Situation critical: High demand, low control, and low support in paramedic organizations. Traumatology, 13(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534765607299912

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roche, M., Haar, J. M., & Luthans, F. (2014). The role of mindfulness and psychological capital on the well-being of leaders. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 19(4), 476–489. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037183

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Russ, S. L., & Elliott, M. S. (2017). Antecedents of mystical experience and dread in intensive meditation. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 4(1), 38–53. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns 0000119

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumpeter. (2013). The mindfulness business. The Economist.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shirom, A., Toker, S., Alkaly, Y., Jacobson, O., & Balicer, R. (2011). Work-based predictors of mortality: A 20-year follow-up of healthy employees. Health Psychology, 30(3), 268–275. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023138

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, P., Burke, R. J., & Boekhorst, J. (2016). Recovery after work experiences, employee well-being and intent to quit. Personnel Review, 45(2), 232–254. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-07-2014-0154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toker, S., & Biron, M. (2012). Job burnout and depression: Unraveling their temporal relationship and considering the role of physical activity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(3), 699–710. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0026914

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. S., Sinclair, R. R., Mohr, C. D., Adler, A. B., Thomas, J. L., & Salvi, A. D. (2008). A temporal investigation of the direct, interactive, and reverse relations between demand and control and affective strain. Work & Stress, 22(2), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370802190383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E., Lomas, T., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016). Corporate use of mindfulness and authentic spiritual transmission: Competing or compatible ideals? Mindfulness & Compassion, 1(2), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mincom.2016.10.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watts, J., & Robertson, N. (2011). Burnout in university teaching staff: A systematic literature review. Educational Research, 53(1), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2011.552235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolever, R. Q., Bobinet, K. J., McCabe, K., Mackenzie, E. R., Fekete, E., Kusnick, C. A., & Baime, M. (2012). Effective and viable mind-body stress reduction in the workplace: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17(2), 246–258. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027278

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yorston, G. (2001). Mania precipitated by meditation: A case report and literature review. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 4(2), 209–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/713685624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youssef, C., & Luthans, F. (2012). Psychological capital, meaning, findings, and future directions. In K. Cameron & G. Spreitzer (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of positive organizational scholarship (pp. 17–27). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ottawa Mindfulness Clinic, 595 Montreal Road, Suite 301, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1K 4L2

    Frank Musten PhD

Authors
  1. Frank Musten PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frank Musten PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ottawa Mindfulness Clinic, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Lynette M. Monteiro

  2. University of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, USA

    Jane F. Compson

  3. Ottawa Mindfulness Clinic, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Frank Musten

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Musten, F. (2017). Ethics of Mindfulness in Organizations. In: Monteiro, L., Compson, J., Musten, F. (eds) Practitioner's Guide to Ethics and Mindfulness-Based Interventions . Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64924-5_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation