Lecture 1: Healthy Work Flashcards
Definition of work
instrumental activity to preserve or maintain life; activity directed towards valued goals beyond enjoyment of activity
Why is work a human construct?
- tasks, jobs, and organizations are designed
- we can choose to design work based on human needs and capabilites
Definition of psychology of work or industrial/organization psychology
Scientific study and professional practice that addresses psychological concepts and principles in the real world
Mandate of I/O psychology
increase the fit between the workforce and workplace
definition of ergonomics
fitting the job to the person and not fitting the person to the job
Describe the person process environment model
Emphasizes the importance of understanding the person first and then building the processes and environment around the person
Describe the healthy work model
3 circular levels: individual, organization, and society
What are some examples of unhealthy work at the individual level
- not enough pay (basic needs not met)
- lack of security - work is dangerous
- no worklife balance
- RSI; physical impact
- mental illness
What are some examples of unhealthy work at the organizational level
- bullying
- organization is in the negative (net loss)
- high absenteeism
- poor job satisfaction
- labour disputes
- work accidents
- poor reputation
What are some examples of unhealthy work at the societal level
- health care demand increases
- addiction rates increase
- increased violence
- increased child labour
- high crime rates
Describe the model of a healthy work organization. Who created it?
Dejoy
Organizational level action is important to creating and maintaining a healthy organization
Focus: organizational level and organizational effectiveness
No emphasis on society
Considers values and beliefs of organization
Linear model
Employee’s perceptions and expectations are key for organizational effectiveness
Describe the total worker health model. Who created it?
NIOSH
Worker wellbeing in the centre surrounded equally by health status, work physical environment and safety climate, workplace policies and culture, work evaluation and experience
How it compares to other models
- Central focus: worker well being (individual level) but with some aspects of all levels
- No discussion on organizational effectiveness
- Doesn’t consider perception; more an emphasis on reality?
What is Walter Dill Scott known for?
Selection procedures for employment
What is Hugo munsterberg known for?
Selection procedures for trolly car operators (what makes a safe operator?)
Broke down the job to subtasks
What is Henri Fayol known for
Looking at work from a militaristic/ hierarchical view
What is Frank and Lilian Gilbreth known for
Studied time and motion; Timed each step in a process to see how people could work faster
One action is a therblig
Designed: step on trash can and a fridge to keep butter cool
What is Sir Fredrick Winslow Taylor known for
Taylorism
Based on church and military
There is only one best way to do a job
Classical organizational theory
Scientific management
Redesigned the shovel
What are the 4 elements of classical organizational theory?
- clear division of labour
- delegation of authority
- structure (functional principle and line/staff principle)
- span of control
Define: functional principle
Idea that you report up and you have a set number of people below you
Define: Line/staff principle
Whos important to the organization?
Staff - administration
Line - work being done
Line > staff in terms of importance in classical organizational theory
Define: span of control principle
How many subordinates you can have
What are the benefits of scientific management/economy of movement
- increased productivity
- less workers needed for same job
- more entry level jobs created - don’t need to pay a premium for skilled workers
What are the disadvantages of scientific management
- worker dissatisfaction
- RSIs
- created unemployment
- boredom
- increased accidents
- decreased cooperation
What is Elton Mayo known for?
Hawthorne studies and Hawthorne effect
- Hawthorne studies: when being watched you will be more productive
- Hawthorne effect: the novelty of the situation affects performance
This is a critique on classical organizational theory. Why have less managers when paying attention to employees increase productivity?
