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Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Quality of Work Life

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Work and Quality of Life

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

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Abstract

Traditionally, while industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology develops, researches, and implements interventions that improve both the efficiency of organizations and the well-being of their employees, relatively few I/O psychologists directly study the ethical implications of their efforts in terms of quality of work life (QWL). Several ethical principles related to how I/O psychology pertains to QWL are offered. These include balance, respect, responsibility, autonomy, participation, voice, and justice. Facets of QWL are considered along with real-world examples of incidents that adversely affect employee well-being at each of the individual, organizational, and cultural levels of analysis. The reasons why these issues present ethical dilemmas are discussed in terms of the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. The resolution of ethical dilemmas may lie within organization development interventions rooted in best practices from I/O psychology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Radford University, Radford, VA, 24142, USA

    Nora P. Reilly Ph.D.

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  1. Nora P. Reilly Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Nora P. Reilly Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Psychology, Radford University, Radford, 24142, Virgin Islands, USA

    Nora P. Reilly

  2. Pamlin College of Business, Dept. Marketing, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Pamplin Hall 2025, Blacksburg, 24061-0236, Virginia, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

  3. , Psychology, Radford University, Russell Hall 444, Radford, 24142, Virginia, USA

    C. Allen Gorman

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Reilly, N.P. (2012). Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Quality of Work Life. In: Reilly, N., Sirgy, M., Gorman, C. (eds) Work and Quality of Life. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4059-4_1

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