Learning Reflection

Critical Analysis

Changing Context of Work

By: Ahmed Al-Methen

ACKID 0906064

VUID 4092772

A2

BANERJEE, D. (2006). Information technology, productivity, growth and reduced leisure: Revisiting of history. The Journal of Labor and Society, 9, 199–213-199–213

According to the article, towards the end of the 1930s, there was a rise in demand for actual human labor. All this was caused by the growth of industries at the time which required knowledge workers. However, there was a shortage of this class of workers and to ensure they maintained their workers; employers had to increase their hourly payment rates. Employees then used the freedom they had to negotiate for more leisure time to spend with their families and to go on vacation. In the 90s, there was a rapid uptake of innovations within the industries which would have resulted in a reduction in the need for human labor. The most prominent technology of this era was the microchip that revolutionized operations. However, rather than reduce the work durations for human labor, technology has a negative impact on worker conditions. It has led to increased work hours as companies strive to achieve maximum output and due to the accuracy and precision of using technology, there has been a reduction in the pay of knowledge workers all across the globe.

BROEK, D. (2002). Monitoring and Surveillance in Call Centers: Some responses from Australian workers. LABOUR AND INDUSTRY

This article analyses the impact that adoption of technology has in the workplace, in this case in relation to employees at a call center in Australia. Technology has enhanced the scope of doing business and made it possible for people to conduct transactions even though they might be on different continents. However, this technology is also used by the management to monitor the employees and to evaluate their performance. Although management might state that improved monitoring increases the productivity of employees since remain focused on their tasks and will spend less time engaging in non work related activities. This has caused a lot of dispute with the employees due to the extensive managerial control that is applied in such facilities. Although it is important for workers to be monitored, I also think there should be a limit on the amount of control that managers can have. There is a big difference between workers and machines and it is absurd to expect human employees to work with the same precision and efficiency like machinery. Further research on the subject has shown that workers are more productive when they are given space to perform their duties, since this gives them a sense of responsibility.

2B

BUECHIELLI, R., BARTRAM, T., & THANACOODY, R. (2008). Work-Family Balance or Greedy Organizations? Industrial Relations, 63, 108-135.

This article analyses the importance of balancing work and leisure time for the employees. It states that most organizations only look at the production aspect of their operations and disregard the dual needs of their employees. In the past, women were confined to homes where they handled the house hold chores. However, this has changed and there are more women in the workplace. Unlike their male counterparts who might spend prolonged amounts of time on assignments, women need time to spend with their children. However, it is relatively easier for workers in management positions to achieve a work-family balance. The main reason for this revolves around the nature of their work. While most junior level workers are involved in the actual production within the organization, managers mostly have a supervisory role. As such, once they have delegated tasks, they have the time to spend with their families. In my view, a family work balance is important for all employees and should not be based on the position of an employee within the organization or on their gender. Management have a duty to allocate flexible work hours to ensure there employees have a balance in their lives.

NOON, M., & BLYTON, P. (2007). The Realities of Work. 20-47

According to this article, the features of the work environment have been changing over the last two decades, most in relation to the patterns and structure of employment within the workplace. A critical change that has occurred within this period is trade liberalization. Many nations have signed pacts that have led to an increase in trade activities throughout the world. As such, it has resulted in the growth of industries given that there are increased markets for the commodities and services. Most importantly is the liberalization of financial markets that have made it possible for capital to be moved across the globe and investments to be made wherever there are opportunities. The work environment also has changes and employees have policies that safeguard them while on duty and protect their rights. To ensure efficiency, the rights and working conditions of various employees have been harmonized in most parts of the globe. Employers have realized that workers should not only work towards enhancing productivity for their firms but should also have time to spend with their families. With the growth of multinational firms, it is now easier than ever for qualified workers to find alternative employment.

WILLIAM C. (2007). The dominant narratives. In Rethinking the Future of Work (pp. 13-26).

The article agrees with the fact that there is increased trade across the world an integration of economies of different countries. To ensure there is enough production, there has to be a qualified labor force to ensure there is enough production to meet the labor demands. As such, there has to be proper evaluation of the definition of work within the economy and the steps that should be implemented to ensure increased productivity. To ensure increased productivity of goods and services, it is important to formalize work all across the globe. In this way, it will enable easier control of the most important factor to production. Personally, I think human labor is critical to the growth of production all across the world. However, we cannot ignore the shift which has occurred in the work place. Many people are now engaging in informal activities which might not require them to report to actual work locations. It is only by incorporating such work practices into the work place will production increase in the future.

All the articles relate to the changing role of workers within the organizations and the role that they play in regards to improving productivity within different organizations. More women have joined the work force and they are rising up the ranks. As such, the workplace has evolved to make it more conducive for them to work. An important feature of female employees is the high priority they place to their work -life balance. However, this is also important with male employees who need time for leisure. Rather than advocate for these rights on a personal basis, employees have formed trade unions, which negotiate for their working conditions with various employers. There has also been increased use of technology within the workplace, resulting in both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it has led to an increase on productivity in industries, resulting in growth. The disadvantage of technology is that it has increased the extent by which employers can monitor the activities of their employees and also reduced the need for actual human labor in some organizations. As such, to ensure there enhanced productivity, it is important for employees to analyze these factors and ensure the working condition is conducive for their workers.

Reference list

BANERJEE, D. (2006). Information technology, productivity, growth and reduced leisure: Revisiting of history. The Journal of Labor and Society, 9, 199–213-199–213

BROEK, D. (2002). Monitoring and Surveillance in Call Centers: Some responses from Australian workers. LABOUR AND INDUSTRY

BUECHIELLI, R., BARTRAM, T., & THANACOODY, R. (2008). Work-Family Balance or Greedy Organizations? Industrial Relations, 63, 108-135.

NOON, M., & BLYTON, P. (2007). The Realities of Work. 20-47

WILLIAM C. (2007). The dominant narratives. In Rethinking the Future of Work (pp. 13-26).