The Quality of Working Life

Abstract The chapter addresses the nature, evolution and impact of the concept of quality of working life and the role of work design as a key component. It covers the period from the initial work of pioneers at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations to recent attempts to reinvigorate quality of working life research. The ebb and flow of pressures to advance the quality of working life are considered, along with the roles of the various stakeholders, ranging from governments to employees and their representatives. The specific challenges of applying work redesign as a major means of improving the quality of working life are assessed, with some consideration of significant successes and failures. It is argued that while there have been improvements in the overall quality of working life in advanced economies, often aided by legislation, progress in improving the design of work has been more fragmented and unequally spread across the workforce.