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Jessica Bagger

Jessica Bagger
Professor, College of Business Administration

Background and expertise:
Professor Jessica Bagger, new to the College of Business Administration since fall 2006, has been involved in consulting/research projects regarding work-life conflict, particularly policies directed at alleviating that conflict, such as telecommuting. In that capacity she has worked with the Tucson Police Department, Durrant (a nationally architectural and engineering firm) and Lands’ End, an online clothing retailer.

“At Lands’ End, it was interesting speaking to the telecommuters, their co-workers and company management,” says Bagger, “since their perspectives on this flexible work arrangement differs greatly depending on their own relation to the telecommuter, as well as their own values and work habits.” Bagger found that while telecommuting may cause resentment among those who work in the companies’ offices, organizations must offer flexibility to attract and retain knowledgeable workers.

As a result, the organization has to deal with the resulting unfairness issues. “Telecommuting may be a viable option for companies, as tardiness or absenteeism can cost companies an extraordinary amount in terms of lost production,” she says.

Bagger has conducted extensive research on the impact of work-life issues on organizations and their workers and the human resources policies being implemented to address those work-life issues. She is currently teaching upper-division courses in human resources and is impressed with Sacramento State’s students. “I enjoy the time I have with the students,” says Bagger. “They work hard and they’re very ambitious.”

A relative newcomer to the U.S., Bagger grew up in Sweden and moved to Tucson, Arizona nine years ago. She attended the University of Arizona, where she earned a B.A. in psychology, a B.S.B.A. in management and international business, an M.S. and a Ph.D. in management.

Doug Adams

Doug Adams
Counselor, Employee Assistance Program

Background and expertise:
A counselor in private practice since 1987, Doug Adams came on staff at the Employee Assistance Program in November 2006 as an EAP clinician.

“I’ve worked with several employee assistance programs over the years,” says Adams. “This a great benefit to employees, and the programs have helped so many people.”

Adams, who received a B.A. in social ecology at U.C. Irvine and a master’s degree in social work at Sacramento State, provides individual, couples and family therapy through private sessions as well as classes in stress management, coping with change and parenting. He has also worked with University supervisors and employees in private sessions on a variety of issues.

“Employees and their families are offered up to six sessions a year,” says Adams. “And it’s a truly confidential service. No records are released about the sessions without the employee’s expressed written consent. Also, employees aren’t docked for their time if they have a session during work hours.”