University of Kwazulu-Natal

Workplace Dignity What Is It Why Does It Matter

Bonisiwe Shabane
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workplace dignity what is it why does it matter

Elizabeth Semion, Global Exec. Coach, (MBA, PCC, NBC-HWC), helping leaders achieve results with integrity through conscious bus. practices. Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work in and with a variety of organizations—large multinationals, smaller to medium-sized privately held companies and not-for-profits. In roles ranging from employee to consultant, and now as an executive coach for the past decade, I've seen firsthand the impact workplace culture has on individuals and companies, including the cascading impact it... Workplace dignity is about creating a culture where every individual feels valued, respected and recognized for their unique contributions.

Research has shown that healthier employees will experience less absenteeism and less burnout and will get more done. Simply put: When dignity is the norm, employees are more engaged at work, at home and in their communities. They will also tend to go the extra mile. However, the reverse is also true: A culture with an absence of dignity can lead to a lack of trust, morale and productivity and an increase in physical and mental health issues. Here are some typical examples and ways to address them: Edited by: África Borges, University of La Laguna, Spain

Reviewed by: Eduardo Hernández Padilla, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Mexico; Luis Manuel Lozano, University of Granada, Spain *Correspondence: Anjali Tiwari, anjalim52@gmail.com This article was submitted to Quantitative Psychology and Measurement, a section of the journal Frontiers in Psychology Received 2019 Jun 11; Accepted 2019 Oct 31; Collection date 2019. The nature of work is evolving, and with it, the expectations employees hold for their employers. Beyond fair compensation, there is a growing recognition that the quality of the work experience itself – particularly the degree to which it upholds workplace dignity – is paramount.

An editorial in The Guardian recently underscored this shift, advocating for enhanced employment rights in the UK as a means to foster workplace dignity, arguing that respectful and secure work environments are beneficial not... This perspective challenges purely cost-focused views of labor, suggesting that investing in worker dignity yields significant returns in productivity and well-being. This report delves into the multifaceted concept of workplace dignity, exploring its fundamental components and its profound impact on employee well-being, business productivity, and broader economic outcomes. Drawing on academic research, international labor standards (like the ILO's Decent Work agenda), and the context provided by proposed legislative changes like the UK's Employment Rights Bill, this analysis aims to provide a comprehensive... For organizations like BRNSFT, committed to enhancing productivity and well-being, understanding and cultivating workplace dignity is not merely an ethical consideration but a strategic imperative for sustainable success in the modern economy. Workplace dignity represents the worth that individuals recognize in themselves and that is recognized by others, acquired through the act of engaging in work.1 While rooted in the fundamental concept of human dignity –...

Academic literature identifies several key dimensions that constitute workplace dignity: Inherent Dignity (Recognition of Human Value & Respect): This foundational element stems from the Kantian principle of treating individuals as ends in themselves, not merely as means to an end.1 It involves recognizing the... Equitable Growth supports research and policy analysis on how strong competition among U.S. businesses affects inequality and broad-based economic growth. More Equitable Growth supports research and policy analysis on how unequal access to care, 21st century work-life policies, and education undermines stable, broad-based economic growth.

More Equitable Growth supports research and policy analysis on how trends in economic inequality and mobility and changes in the economy have affected the concentration of wealth, income, and earnings, and how these distributional shifts... More Equitable Growth supports research and policy analysis on how inequalities in wages, bargaining power, and the evolving labor market affect workers’ economic security and opportunity as well as broad-based economic growth. More Equitable Growth supports research and policy analysis on how tax and macroeconomic policies can promote stable and broad-based economic growth.

More In The People Dividend, I write that successful organizations recognize a simple truth: respect and dignity aren't just "nice-to-haves" in the workplace. They are essential drivers of employee engagement, efficiency, and long-term success. When respect and dignity are prioritized, workplaces transform into spaces where everyone can contribute their best. But how can leaders foster these values in the daily grind? Here's why these principles matter and what you can do to embed them into your team's culture.

At their core, respect, and dignity are about acknowledging each individual's value and treating them fairly. Respect celebrates diversity, encourages different perspectives, and creates an environment where voices feel heard. Dignity ensures that interactions are grounded in fairness and integrity so people feel safe, valued, and empowered. Organizations that actively promote these values gain more than just goodwill. They see elevated employee engagement, improved collaboration, and heightened innovation. A team that feels respected is naturally more motivated to work towards shared goals, while a dignified workplace fosters trust and minimizes conflicts.

If you're a leader, the responsibility to set the tone for a respectful and dignified workplace rests squarely on your shoulders. Here are practical ways to bring these principles to life: Recognize the unique skills and efforts that each member brings to the table. Whether it's through a shoutout in a team meeting or a simple thank-you note, these small acknowledgments go a long way in making employees feel valued. Imagine that you’ve been working in your job for a while. You enjoy your work, know how to do it well, and take pride in the results you produce.

And then one day things change. Perhaps a new boss is hired from the outside, who doesn’t talk to you or your colleagues in sufficient depth to understand what works well and what challenges you face. When you offer suggestions about how to improve performance, she ignores them. New policies and procedures are introduced — perhaps ones the boss applied in a different context or read about in a business school case. But they subvert the control and autonomy you have enjoyed in the past. They weaken opportunities for you to apply your expertise and rob you of the investment you’ve made in your work.

Your ability to produce value for the organization is diminished — and so is your morale. “Dignity at Work” refers to creating and maintaining a workplace culture where all employees are treated with respect, fairness, and equality. It emphasises the right of every individual to work in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. In today’s evolving work landscape, where inclusion, respect, and wellbeing are at the forefront, organisations must do more than just comply with legislation—they must actively promote a culture where every employee feels valued and... This is where Guardian Safety’s Dignity at Work Training comes in. The workplace is not just where we earn a living—it’s where we spend a significant portion of our lives.

A positive, respectful environment fosters: Conversely, environments where bullying, harassment, or exclusion occur—even subtly—can lead to stress, absenteeism, high attrition rates, and reputational damage. Respect and Fair Treatment All staff should be treated with courtesy and consideration, regardless of role, background, or beliefs. Workplace dignity refers to the basic human right of every worker to be treated with respect, fairness, and equality in the workplace. It means that every employee should be able to work in an environment free from harassment, discrimination, and violence. Workplace dignity also includes the right to privacy, autonomy, and participation in decision-making processes that affect their work and well-being.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, which is at the heart of all human rights work around the world. It extends to the workplace, as Article 23 and 24 of the Declaration further provide the definition of workplace dignity: “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.”“Everyone has... A workplace that values dignity recognizes that employees are human beings with unique talents, perspectives, and experiences.

This means that employees are not merely cogs in a machine, but individuals with intrinsic worth and dignity. When this is reflected in the workplace culture, employees are more likely to feel connected to the organization’s mission and goals. Creating a workplace centered on dignity can help to prevent workplace harassment, discrimination, and other forms of mistreatment. It is essential to reduce inequalities in the workplace and facilitate transformation to a fairer future. Diversity in the workplace refers to the presence of individuals with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives within an organization’s workforce. It encompasses a broad range of characteristics, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, socioeconomic status, and cultural background.

In an era where "improving productivity" has become the loudest rallying cry, organisations are at risk of losing sight of an important measure of success: how people feel at work. According to recent research from Accenture, just 29% of employees trust their company’s leadership to act in their best interests. Meanwhile, 58% of UK workers now place work/life balance above all else — a powerful signal that people are placing more weight on life-centric principles and priorities. Instead, we’re seeing an overemphasis on performance, increased digital noise, and rising expectations with fewer resources — all contributing to a subtle but profound erosion of the dignity of work. The dignity of work goes beyond pay or status. It means feeling respected, having autonomy, being trusted, and knowing that your work has meaning.

So, what does this look like in practice? If you have a truly human-centred workplace, people feel safe to speak up, take initiative, and grow in their careers.

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Research Has Shown That Healthier Employees Will Experience Less Absenteeism

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Reviewed By: Eduardo Hernández Padilla, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado De

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An editorial in The Guardian recently underscored this shift, advocating for enhanced employment rights in the UK as a means to foster workplace dignity, arguing that respectful and secure work environments are beneficial not... This perspective challenges purely cost-focused views of labor, suggesting that investing in worker dignity yields significant returns in productivity and well-being. This...

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