Provocation Paper

Justice in the workplace

Justice in the workplace: Why it is important and why a new public policy initiative is needed

Provocation Paper, Series 2, Number 3

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Professor Edwards, Paul

2007

 
There is growing recognition that, in contrast to past eras of high unemployment, it is no longer the quantity but rather the quality of jobs which is a major issue for the UK. As an ACAS (2004/5: 1-2) publication puts it, it is time for the issue of ‘quality’ in ‘working life’ to be put back on the public agenda. It is also becoming clear, albeit more slowly, that job quality is nowhere near as high as it might be, or as one might expect. An expectation of rising job quality would be consistent with public policy eff orts since 1997 to improve employment rights and with longerterm trends at the level of individual organizations towards team work, direct communication with employees and even the ‘empowered’ or ‘high commitment’ workplace. Justice in the workplace: Why it is important and why a new public policy initiative is needed  draws on research that explains the apparent paradox of limited or even falling job quality despite favourable conditions. But its main purpose is to suggest a way of improving the position.