Browsing by Subject "decent work"

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    Open Access
    From Decent Work to Decent Lives: An Empirical Test of the Outcomes of Decent Work in the Psychology of Working Theory
    (2019) Malan, Danielle; Meyer, Ines
    The psychology of working theory (PWT) postulates that certain contextual and structural factors determine if individuals are able to obtain decent work, and that decent work, in turn, leads to work fulfilment and general well-being. The theory assumes that this is the case, as decent work satisfies three fundamental human needs: survival and power, social connection, and self-determination (as per the self-determination theory [SDT]). Only recently has a measure been developed to assess the satisfaction of these needs (Autin et al., under review), which means that the proposed role of need satisfaction as mediator in the link between decent work and work fulfilment/general well-being has not yet been tested empirically. This formed the objective of this study. The study employed a descriptive research design with a correlational approach. Working individuals residing in South Africa’s Western Cape province (N = 150) rated their work experiences on the decent work scale (DWS), work need satisfaction scale (WNSS), index of job satisfaction (IoJS) scale, and satisfaction with life scale (SWLS). In this sample, adequate healthcare did not fall within the decent work concept. This might be because it is common for working South Africans, especially in lower income brackets, not to receive healthcare benefits, which would thus not be expected. The autonomy and relationship aspects of the SDT self-determination need formed one instead of two separate components. This may be a reflection of low levels of trust in low-income workers, which means that autonomy is only provided if there is a positive relationship. Decent work predicted work fulfilment and individuals’ well-being and, as expected, this relationship was mediated by the fulfilment of the hypothesised needs (survival and power, social connection, SDT relationship + autonomy, and SDT competence). The study thus indicates the applicability of the PWT in the South African context. Organisations should thus be encouraged to provide employees with decent work, as this, in turn, will likely increase employees’ work fulfilment and general wellbeing.
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    Open Access
    Money and Sustainability: Examining the Potential Moderating Role of Financial Capability and Decent Work on the Relationship between Income and Quality of life
    (2021) Elliott, Amber; Meyer, Ines
    The inability of a large proportion of the working class to sustain a decent quality of life has placed increased importance on paying employees a living wage, that is, an income amount that enables meaningful participation in society above mere survival. However, while this notion seems promising, it does not account for the complexities in the relationship between income and quality of life; which, of course, is influenced by several moderating factors. This study considered two of these, financial capability and decent work, thereby assuming that the ability of income to effectively lead to a good quality of life is influenced by whether or not individuals engage in financial capability behaviours or perceive their work as decent. A cross sectional descriptive design was used and a final sample of N = 153 general salaried employees in South Africa participated in a self-report survey. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that each of the four financial capabilities (making ends meet, keeping track, planning ahead, and staying informed behaviours) were unidimensional in nature; while decent work produced a three-factor structure, inconsistent with its original five-factor conceptualisation. Spearman rho correlation results revealed that income was positively related to quality of life, and moderation analysis revealed that planning ahead was the only financial capability that influenced the relationship between income and quality of life. All other financial capabilities as well as decent work produced non-significant findings. Considering these results, study limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed, followed by outlining theoretical and practical implications.