Hi Lola,
YOUR SECOND QUESTION.
Quality of Work Life (QWL)
What is QWL?
QWL is the abbreviation for the Quality of Work Life Initiative. QWL is a comprehensive, department-wide program designed to enhance company service to the public by improving employee satisfaction, strengthening workplace learning, and helping employees better manage change and transition.
About QWL Objectives
Three main objectives for the QWL Initiative:
- Improve employee satisfaction;
- Strengthen workplace learning; and
- Better manage on-going change and transition.
About QWL Strategy
QWL plans are designed to, at a minimum, accomplish the following:
- Improve communication with employees;
- Strengthen family-friendly programs;
- Provide all employees with Internet access;
- Increase investment in workplace learning;
- Improve the effectiveness of supervisors and team leaders;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of diversity management practices; and
- Improve the ability to manage change and transition.
QWL Accomplishments
- Avoidance of the use of involuntary separations, except for a few in the IHS as a result of the Indian Self-Determination Act;
- Elimination of sequential sign-in sheets;
- Internet access for all employees;
- Creation of a model work/life center to serve as a resource for all employees;
- Creation of a website dedicated to QWL activities;
- Annual QWL weeks sponsored in each department;
- First and Second annual Conference on Family Friendly Work Practices;
- Creation of a distributed learning network ("D/L net") to allow employees to learn "anytime, anywhere";
- Distribution of annual employee benefits statements to all employees;
- Pilot projects to redesign the way work is accomplished to increase organizational productivity as well as employee ability to balance work and life priorities;
- First annual Diversity conference to make recommendations on how to make diversity a "source of performance excellence".
QWL could be measured using surveys.
The survey is theoretically grounded on the construct of Perceived Organizational Support (POS), the extent to which employees perceive that the organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being. POS is well-supported by the empirical research literature as a key factor in influencing employee commitment to the organization, job satisfaction, and general quality of work life.
In addition to measuring POS, the survey included measures of:
- Affective Organizational Commitment (AOC)
- Work-Family Culture (WFC)
- Sources of Stress, divided into 6 dimensions that are likely to influence POS: Fairness, Work Conditions, Role Stress, Relations with Others, Parking and Commuting, Personal and Family
- Sources of Satisfaction, also divided into 6 dimensions that are likely to influence POS: Fairness, Work Conditions, Salary and Benefits, Autonomy and Growth, Access to Non-work Activities, Overall Job and Life Satisfaction
Categories and Constructs Measured
- Job level: Workload, Autonomy, Pay/pay equity, Skill utilization, Participation, Job future, Repetitive work, Resource adequacy, Reward/recognition, Skill utilization, Supervisory behavior, Coworker relations, Promotions, Variety, Occupation, Job tenure, Training, Layoffs, Teamwork, Role clarity, Role conflict, Staffing, Safety & health, Other
- Culture/climate: Safety climate, Discrimination, Harassment, Respect, Trust, Mgt. relationship
- Health Outcomes: Physical health, Mental health, Injuries
- Other Outcomes: Performance, Satisfaction, Intent to leave, Job commitment
- Hours of work: Work at home, Overtime, Flexibility
- Work/family
- Supervision
- Benefits
- Union
How is Quality of Work Life measured?
An annual employee survey provides a snapshot of employee views about the quality of their work life and helps to surface employee issues that require attention. Survey results are shared with employees, management, and the union.
Work/Life Preference Checklist
Work/Life Preference
Work Environment: Growing/Successful, Ethical, Family-oriented, Good Benefits, Pays Well/Fairly, Physically Clean/Safe, Open/Participative, Rewards Risk/Innovation, Access to Recreation, Adequate Parking, Advancement Opportunity, Entrepreneurial, Strong Leadership, Clear Mission, Team Spirit/Morale, Training Available, Caring Management, Gives Recognition, Physically Attractive, Quiet, Efficient, Large Organization, Equal Opportunity, Time Flexibility, Faster Pace, Slower Pace, Private Office, Stability, Gives Feedback, Child Care, Shows Respect, Professional Dress Code, Resources Available, Other/Comments
The Work Itself
Utilizes Abilities, High Visibility, High Structure, Loose Structure, Emphasis on Doing, Emphasis on Managing, Emphasis on Thinking, Emphasis on Quality, Emphasis on Quantity, Involves Travel, No Travel, Meaningful Outcome, Work with People, Work with Data/Ideas, Work with Physical Things, Regular Hours, Irregular Hours, Other/Comments
Safety/Security: International, More Management Contact, More Contact with Peers, Theoretical, Line Job, Competency Valued, Precision Required, Expertise Valued, Task Variety, Work Alone, Work in Groups, Headquarters Job, Field/Plant Job, Generalist Role, Specialist Role, Reliability Valued, Staff Job
Results and Rewards of the Work (Motivations)
To advance or be promoted, To gain control or authority, To realize a vision, To achieve measurable results, To make specific improvements, To master a craft or process, To gain recognition, To gain and impart expertise, To pioneer or discover, To earn financial payoffs, To create a product or process, To build an enterprise, To have an impact, To be a change agent, To compete and win, To achieve distinction, To exploit hidden opportunities, To achieve elite status, To respond to a challenge, To meet high expectations, Other/Comments, To overcome adversity, To contribute to society
Lifestyle and Personal Values
Live an Honest Life, Have Leisure Time, Live a Spiritual Life, Be Financially Secure, Take Care of Family, Enjoy Vacations/Travel, Community Involvement, Have Respect of Others, Have Balance and Harmony, Other/Comments, Retire Comfortably, Live in Beautiful Setting, Have Many Friends, Be a Good Parent, Live a Healthy life, Live Where I Want, Loving Relationship, Own Material Goods, Help Less Fortunate
Regards,
LEO LINGHAM