The quality of working ife

摘要

1. Surveys of psychosocial working conditions reveal that work-related stress, perceived unfairness at work and bullying are commonplace, with many workers feeling disempowered to deal with themrn2. Voluntary initiatives, such as the HSE's Stress Management Standards, may have benefits at individual company level, but have done little at national levelrn3. The health effects of stress often arise from loss of relationships at work and a failure by employers to recognise the 'human' needs of workersrn4. Anew legal system for a social contract at work-a'quality of working life framework'- could address these problems where existing laws and voluntary schemes have failedrn5. A framework should cover the employer's duty of care, dignity at work, the right to affiliate, organisational justice, employee co-determination, the right to learn, security at work, rehabilitation, compensation and enforcement.