Dignity at Work

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

Randy Hodson (Author)

9780521778121, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 September 2001

338 pages, 19 b/w illus. 44 tables
22.9 x 15.4 x 2.2 cm, 0.458 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]