Reactions at Work and Their Influence on Nonwork Activities: An Analysis of a Sociopolitical Problem in Affluent Societies

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Abstract
Traditional ways of organizing work in industrialized societies are in conflict with basic human needs related to creativity, influence, and growth. This conflict seems to affect adversely not only work satisfaction and job and labor-market behavior, but also participation in and rewardsfrom nonwork activities such as participation in organized cultural, political, and educational activities. Evidence is also given for adverse effects on selfesteem and mental health. The advance of the Welfare State is seen as the materialfoundation making possible the present change in work values and expectations, calling for increased worker influence on different levels in the production system and for an increased quality of working life. At the same time, however, increased expectations are made toward the quality of nonwork activities and toward greater equality between sexes and generations, e.g., in relation tofamily duties, education, and labor-market opportunities. These value changes callfor a broader approach to social change in working life than is generally implied in sociotechnical approaches to job design and organization of work, including also such issues as shorter working hours, more flexible career patterns, and greater flexibility in the relation between work, family, and nonwork activities.

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