On Aug 28th 2020 – Anke Winchenbach was our guest on the Humanistic Management Professionals Lunch and Learn. She discussed her research on dignity at work, particularly focusing on her recent publication ‘Rethinking decent work: the value of dignity in tourism employment’ in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.

Highlights

Wages in tourism are unsustainable – meaning – people can’t sustain themselves on the wages – so there is high turnover – it’s not considered a career.

Ways to create dignity in service industry

•                 Work that matters
•                 Good Wages (capable of sustaining a living)
•                 Camaraderie (like the people you work with – sense of belonging)
•                 Self worth and self respect

Resources: ILO Guidelines for decenter work – https://www.ilo.org/legacy/english/osh/en/story_content/external_files/fs_st_1-ILO_4_en.pdf

Randy Hodson book – Dignity at Work – https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-at-Work-Randy-Hodson/dp/0521778123

Sharon Bolton -book – Dimensions of Dignity at Work – https://www.amazon.com/Dimensions-Dignity-Work-Sharon-Bolton/dp/1138433810/

3 things you can do to create dignity at work:

• Fair Wages (must be sustainable)
• Open Dialogue with Employees – encourage respect – value your people – as people.
• Encourage feedback – check and measure – dignity and – mental health metrics