Dignity at Work

Dignity at Work describes workers' efforts to maintain and defend their dignity in the workplace.

Randy Hodson (Author)

9780521771313, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 September 2001

334 pages, 19 b/w illus. 44 tables
23.7 x 16 x 2.2 cm, 0.57 kg

'What is necessary is that policy makers, politicians and parliamentary draughtsmen should read the book.' British Journal of Sociology

Human dignity, the ability to establish a sense of self-worth and self-respect and to enjoy the respect of others, is necessary for a fully realized life. Working with dignity is a fundamental part of achieving a life well-lived, yet the workplace often poses challenging obstacles because of mismanagement or managerial abuse. Defending dignity and realizing self-respect through work are key to workers' well-being; insuring the dignity of employees is equally important for organizations as they attempt to make effective use of their human capital. In this book Randy Hodson, a sociologist of work and organizational behavior, applies ethnographic and statistical approaches to this topic, offering both a richly detailed, inside look at real examples of dignity in action, and a broader analysis of the pivotal role of dignity at work.

Part I. Dignity and its Challenges: 1. Four faces of dignity
2. Toward a theory of dignity
3. Measuring the subtle realms of work
Part II. The Practice of Dignity: 4. Deflecting abuse and mismanagement
5. Confronting overwork
6. Defending autonomy
7. Negotiating employee involvement
8. Coworkers - for better or worse
Part III. The Future of Dignity: 9. Worker dignity and well-being
10. Dignity, agency, and the future of work.

Subject Areas: Human rights [JPVH], Sociology: work & labour [JHBL], Social theory [JHBA], Sociology [JHB], Sociology & anthropology [JH]