MACHS

COMMON GROUND CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP: T6 - Work, Stress and Good Health Part 2

Presenters: Gaynor Hallows, and Vicky Rowland

Facilitator: Sue Heathcote

The focus of this workshop will evolve around the values, concept, and quality of life as these relate to participation and non-participation in the work force. The issue of stress and community volunteer/active contributions in reducing stress in our lives will also be discussed. One key question to be presented at this workshop focuses upon the following question does the standard appreciation of work equal a real quality of life, and if so, what do you determine is your real hourly rate of ‘pay’?

 

Control over work our existing work environment.

1. Autonomous control is necessary if we are to feel we have input that is valued.

External factors that affect a degree of autonomy at work, choices ie.

• Where and how many hours we work.
• Decisions we make in life.
• Attitudes values and belief systems.

Earning money can be considered as one reason for working. For most employed people there is an expectation that a 40-hour a week is considered to be normal.

As a society we work to meet our basic needs of existence. Culturally the western sense of basic needs is quite different from that of other cultures.

Basic needs scale:

• Food
• Shelter
• Clothing
• Communal support
• Health

are all physical and psychological needs

The telephone is perceived as a necessary communication tool in Australia to meet the basic needs of communal support. The phone provides a measure of personal control in our lives in order to socially meet our basic needs.

Resources are becoming scarce for two reasons – either Natural or Structural.

• Control of resources in increasing fewer power of control.
• Scarcity created via unsustainability.
• Consumer culture of economics is exacting a social cost.
• There are aspects of "want" versus "need"
• Yesterday’s wants become today’s needs.
• Time constraints and social "norms" create the need for wants.

Consideration of wants versus needs:

For example, to be employed in the workforce costs money, and to feel a sense of inclusion in our society, our families need luxury items such as computers and uniforms.

There are many things commercial and marketing organizations, retailers and other groups "sell us" in the belief that these commodities are essential in our lives - despite the fact that they are not necessary for basic survival. The hours of work that we consider necessary could be halved, if we halved our consumption by voluntary choice and consumed only what is necessary.

The idea behind this is to consume less, and work less. This notion is aimed at including those who are not "able" to consume because they have no job. We may need to re-think our "needs" so that we do not become trapped in the producers and retailers manipulation of where the money we earn at working goes.

Non – autonomy between the consumer and the provider – results in stress or and confrontation. Making the choice to be consumer participative in community forums, can be empowering simply because we have an opportunity to voice our opinion.

However we need vehicles for our own individual interests. A service that provides a vehicle for encouraging the first steps of community communication is vital if people are to have a voice for their concerns.

Obstacles to active participation:

• Air space
• Disability
• Modes of communication
• Transport access
• Apathy
• Relevance to individual circumstances
• Time
• Tiredness
• Location of forum

 

Work based focus that ensures companies become more aware of employees needs and costs eg:

• Transport provision for multiple workers living in the same area.
• Proper catering on site kitchen facilities (less cost to employees).
• Be more openly supportive of Job Sharing strategies.

The broader community needs to consider the following:

• Develop a mechanism whereby individuals and organisations can link apply the necessary strategies to implement the processes of mutual benefits for change.
• Organisations to be more aware of barriers that prevent consultation processes from occurring.