Introduction to Human Resource Management

Chapter 18 : Quality of Work Life

Definition and concept of Quality of Work Life, Methods to Improve QWL, Flextime, Flexiplace, Alternative Work Schedules, Part-time Employment, Compressed Work Week, Job Enrichment, Job Rotation, Job Enlargement, Autonomous Work Groups / Self-managed Teams, Socio-Technical Systems, Benefits of QWL Programs, Challenges in Implementing QWL Programs.

Chapter Summary

Quality of work life (QWL) is viewed as an alternative to the control approach of managing people. The QWL approach considers people as an ‘asset’ to the organization rather than as ‘costs’. It believes that people perform better when they are allowed to participate in managing their work and make decisions.

This approach motivates people by satisfying not only their economic needs but also their social and psychological ones. To satisfy the new generation workforce, organizations need to concentrate on job designs and organization of work. Further, today’s workforce is realizing the importance of relationships and is trying to strike a balance between career and personal lives.

Successful organizations support and provide facilities to their people to help them to balance the scales. In this process, organizations are coming up with new and innovative ideas to improve the quality of work and quality of work life of every individual in the organization. Various programs like flex time, alternative work schedules, compressed work weeks, telecommuting etc., are being adopted by these organizations.

Technological advances further help organizations to implement these programs successfully. Organizations are enjoying the fruits of implementing QWL programs in the form of increased productivity, and an efficient, satisfied, and committed workforce which aims to achieve organizational objectives. The future work world will also have more women entrepreneurs and they will encourage and adopt QWL programs.

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