Lecture 1: Healthy Work

Question 1

Definition of work

Answer 1

instrumental activity to preserve or maintain life; activity directed towards valued goals beyond enjoyment of activity

Question 2

Why is work a human construct?

Answer 2

• tasks, jobs, and organizations are designed
• we can choose to design work based on human needs and capabilites

Question 3

Definition of psychology of work or industrial/organization psychology

Answer 3

Scientific study and professional practice that addresses psychological concepts and principles in the real world

Question 4

Mandate of I/O psychology

Answer 4

increase the fit between the workforce and workplace

Question 5

definition of ergonomics

Answer 5

fitting the job to the person and not fitting the person to the job

Question 6

Describe the person process environment model

Answer 6

Emphasizes the importance of understanding the person first and then building the processes and environment around the person

Question 7

Describe the healthy work model

Answer 7

3 circular levels: individual, organization, and society

Question 8

What are some examples of unhealthy work at the individual level

Answer 8

• not enough pay (basic needs not met)
• lack of security - work is dangerous
• no worklife balance
• RSI; physical impact
• mental illness

Question 9

What are some examples of unhealthy work at the organizational level

Answer 9

• bullying
• organization is in the negative (net loss)
• high absenteeism
• poor job satisfaction
• labour disputes
• work accidents
• poor reputation

Question 10

What are some examples of unhealthy work at the societal level

Answer 10

• health care demand increases
• addiction rates increase
• increased violence
• increased child labour
• high crime rates

Question 11

Describe the model of a healthy work organization. Who created it?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Describe the total worker health model. Who created it?

Answer 12

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?

Question 13

What is Walter Dill Scott known for?

Answer 13

Selection procedures for employment

Question 14

What is Hugo munsterberg known for?

Answer 14

Selection procedures for trolly car operators (what makes a safe operator?)

Broke down the job to subtasks

Question 15

What is Henri Fayol known for

Answer 15

Looking at work from a militaristic/ hierarchical view

Question 16

What is Frank and Lilian Gilbreth known for

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is Sir Fredrick Winslow Taylor known for

Answer 17

Taylorism

Based on church and military

There is only one best way to do a job

Classical organizational theory

Scientific management

Redesigned the shovel

Question 18

What are the 4 elements of classical organizational theory?

Answer 18

1. clear division of labour
2. delegation of authority
3. structure (functional principle and line/staff principle)
4. span of control

Question 19

Define: functional principle

Answer 19

Idea that you report up and you have a set number of people below you

Question 20

Define: Line/staff principle

Answer 20

Whos important to the organization?
Staff - administration
Line - work being done
Line > staff in terms of importance in classical organizational theory

Question 21

Define: span of control principle

Answer 21

How many subordinates you can have

Question 22

What are the benefits of scientific management/economy of movement

Answer 22

• increased productivity
• less workers needed for same job
• more entry level jobs created - don’t need to pay a premium for skilled workers

Question 23

What are the disadvantages of scientific management

Answer 23

• worker dissatisfaction
• RSIs
• created unemployment
• boredom
• increased accidents
• decreased cooperation

Question 24

What is Elton Mayo known for?

Answer 24

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?

Question 25

Who is Andre Chapanis?

Answer 25

Grandfather of ergonomics

Question 26

What are Emery and Trist known for?

Answer 26

Defined sociotechnical systems

Studied short wall and long wall mining

Question 27

Describe sociotechnical systems

Answer 27

Put equal emphasis on line and staff

Technical system and social systems are equally important within an organization

Technical systems: equipment and infrastructure
Social systems including people and the inter-relationships

Defined the 5 parts of an organization to be
- individual
- formal organization
- small groups
- status and role
- physical setting