Quality of Work Life

Defined: A process of joint decision making, collaboration and building mutual respect between management and employees

Scope of QWLFair and reasonable payFavourable and safer environmentBenefits for employeesJob securityJob satisfactionProvision of autonomy as well as control for developing human resourcesScope for better career opportunities

Approaches to improve QWLFlexibility in work schedulesFreedom in forming workgroupsOpportunity for growthParticipation of employeesImplementing suggestion systems

Requirements of QWLOpennessOpportunity to participate in decision making processTraining to be givenFace to face talks between mgt and workers should be encouragedFeedback of performancePromotion should be given for good performance

QC in IndiaThe Ramchandrapuram unit of BHEL at Hyderabad is perhaps the first to have pioneered the quality circle movement in India.The company today has nearly 1700 quality circles involving about 17,000 workers who have tackled over 6000 problemsSome others are J.K. Jute, Bharat Electronics & HMT

Quality CirclesA quality circle is a group of employees that meet regularly to solve problems affecting its work area. It is a small group doing similar work, meeting to identify, analyze and quality problems.Characteristics of Quality CircleCircles meet frequently and at scheduled timesMembership is voluntaryProblems are not just identified, but are also investigated and solvedGenerally 6 8 members.

Objectives of QCContributes to the improvement & development of the org.QC provides opportunity & forum to realise and satisfy peoples needs at workplace.QCs help to build a happy worthwhile place to work.It promotes better understanding and thereby creates cordial IR.

AdvantagesGeneration of QCImprovement in productivityBetter teamworkHigher motivationDevelopment of problem solving skills.

LimitationsFitting of QC in existing cultureRewarding and motivating QC members.Operational problemsNon members may pose problemsDelay in implementation of suggestions of QC

Quality of work life - IBMWages & benefits Working HoursNondiscrimination & harassment Respect & dignity Freedom of association Health & safety Communications Support for employees & community involvement

Quality of Work Life TATA GroupGifts & donations Health, safety & environment Ethical conduct Concurrent employment Citizenship Integrity of data furnished Reporting concerns

Quality of Work Life ING Mutual FundsCSR-Pratham-orphanageRegular OffsiteLunch with CEOInterdepartmental LunchesIdeation Box (Suggestions)Product Champions (SWOT of product)Skip level meetingsQC-ImplementingHealth Safety and Environment

Quality of Work Life Principal India AMCFamily Day- Wednesdays5 Days working weekAnnual Rejuvenation with familiesMonthly Birthday CelebrationsIn House GymPaternity Leave, Wedding Leave, Bereavement LeaveYoga Gymnasium ReimbursementsHealth Safety and Environment

New Methods QWLPrayer and Meditation in the Workplace

The American Stock Exchange has a Torah Study Group

Boeing has Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayer groups

Apple Computers office has a meditation room and employees are given 30 minutes to meditate or pray.

Prentice-Hall Publishing has a quiet room for employees where they can take mental retreats

New Methods QWLWorldwide

Marriott Internationals 10,000 workers dedicate a day of service to their local communities each yearIBM funds childcare centers at 60 of its locationsIntel offers 22 weeks of maternity leaveSAS has low absenteeism and only 3% turnover due to no-lay-off policy, 35-hour workweeks, flexitime and on site amenities like Gym, medical clinic and message therapists.Volvo Changed its assembly line system which led to greater job satisfaction-low absenteeism and turnover

Checklist of quality-work goals Decent living standard & economic securityMutual trust among employers & workersParticipation in decision making Healthy & safe work environmentWork-life balanceEncourages initiative & creativityBuilding commitment to high quality work environmentNegotiate clear roles & responsibilities for mgt, govt, unions, professional associations

Benchmark job quality, analyzing impact on employees & resultsDiagnose areas of strength & weakness, develop strategies to address latter, track progress Evaluate impact of organizational change on employees & resultsBuild quality work environment goals into business plans, showing links to resultsProvide incentives for managers to contribute to specific job quality goals

Strategies for Improvement of QWLSelf managed work teamsJob redesign and enrichmentEffective leadership and supervisory behaviorCareer developmentAlternative work schedulesJob securityAdministrative or organizational justiceParticipative management

Techniques to improve QWLJob redesign: narrow jobs need to be combined into larger units of accomplishment. Jobs should be redesigned to enrich them.Career Development: Opportunity for career advancement and growth personality improve commitment.Autonomous Work Groups: In an autonomous work group, employees are given the freedom of decision making. Flexible work schedules: Flexible working hours, reduced work weak, job sharing, part-time employment and other types of alternative work schedules provide freedom to employees in scheduling their work

Participative management: Employees want to participate in deciding matters which affect their lives. Therefore, quality circles, management by objectives, suggestion system and other forms of employees participation in management help to improve QWLJob security: Adequate security of job is a high priority of employees and should be providedAdministrative justice: The principles of justice, fair and equity should be applied in disciplinary procedure, grievance procedures, promotions, transfers, work assignment, leave, etc.

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