Introduction
Work constantly evolves due to advancing technologies, enlightened management strategies, work reorganization, neoliberal government policies, union involvement, globalization, and environmental sustainability issues. A growing service- and knowledge-based economy in Canada supersedes the historical agricultural and production-based one, and this poses new challenges to the state, management, and workers in the employment relationship and within the labour market. Decisions made by capitalists and state – the power brokers in our society, the labour market, and employment relationships – respond to the economic and social challenges/pressures caused by this evolution. The factors that influence work generally inform three possible …show more content…
Neoliberalism has influenced the material and social welfare of workers by taking a hands-off approach, by not ensuring that laws protect all workers, by not entrenching labour rights as human rights, by not enforcing a living wage in all jurisdictions, and by often by limiting the right to unionize or strike. Though I am a social idealist, I am also a realist and can accept that the work reformations required to improve conditions for workers and attain environmental sustainability will always take a backseat to the profit objectives within a neo-liberal, capitalist society. The idealist in me hopes for a perfect end: the return of full employment, reinstated social programs, intense focus on worker wellbeing, productivity and benefit, all within a thriving economy. However, the realist in me acknowledges that since the future of work is influenced by what society (those with power) deems important (on the spectrum of competitive advantage/profit motive versus social ideals such as better quality of life) a marked imbalance will continue (Krahn et al, 2012, p. 471). I do, nevertheless, believe workers can and do adapt . . . as they always have. I also believe that with the right supports, organized workers will be the ones to change the systems and right the
Work constantly evolves due to advancing technologies, enlightened management strategies, work reorganization, neoliberal government policies, union involvement, globalization, and environmental sustainability issues. A growing service- and knowledge-based economy in Canada supersedes the historical agricultural and production-based one, and this poses new challenges to the state, management, and workers in the employment relationship and within the labour market. Decisions made by capitalists and state – the power brokers in our society, the labour market, and employment relationships – respond to the economic and social challenges/pressures caused by this evolution. The factors that influence work generally inform three possible …show more content…
Neoliberalism has influenced the material and social welfare of workers by taking a hands-off approach, by not ensuring that laws protect all workers, by not entrenching labour rights as human rights, by not enforcing a living wage in all jurisdictions, and by often by limiting the right to unionize or strike. Though I am a social idealist, I am also a realist and can accept that the work reformations required to improve conditions for workers and attain environmental sustainability will always take a backseat to the profit objectives within a neo-liberal, capitalist society. The idealist in me hopes for a perfect end: the return of full employment, reinstated social programs, intense focus on worker wellbeing, productivity and benefit, all within a thriving economy. However, the realist in me acknowledges that since the future of work is influenced by what society (those with power) deems important (on the spectrum of competitive advantage/profit motive versus social ideals such as better quality of life) a marked imbalance will continue (Krahn et al, 2012, p. 471). I do, nevertheless, believe workers can and do adapt . . . as they always have. I also believe that with the right supports, organized workers will be the ones to change the systems and right the