Workers At Risk Essay, Research Paper
Workers at Risk
In the book “Workers at Risk” the authors, Dorothy Nelkin and Michael S. Brown, interviewed a number of “working class” people. The authors enticed workers to discuss their major concerns regarding occupational health and safety. Almost all the interviewed workers had some complaints regarding the subject and some seemed quite upset in regards to their complaints. The authors, however, did not interview management in order to receive responses to workers concerns. Thus we have no concrete inside into this side of the issue. However, this paper will attempt to show how management may respond to the issue and will also decipher the major concerns expressed by the workers.
A general feeling one gets from reading the interviews is that workers feel that they only receive very limited information in regards to hazardous materials they are using. Workers tend to feel that management has a paternalistic attitude towards them and that they know what is best for the worker. Management, on the other hand, may suggest that there is a lack of information regarding many of the issues regarding health and safety and that a unwarranted “panic” may in- sue if information is released without sufficient evidence. There also seems to be many suggestions that management feels that it is the worker’s own fault for many ill-effects. That is workers are unwilling to use proper precautions or their life styles may play large roles in ill effects.
Workers also implied that once they are experiencing symptoms that without adequate proof they have no way of confronting management. This, in-turn, caused many workers to keep quiet about their problems; either because it was “their problem” or it was “just part of the job”. Some workers even felt that reporting may lead to retribution. But most just felt that their complaints would be disputed of dismissed. As is evident by Joe’s (laboratory, chemical plant) statement, ” … a couple of neurologist told me it was linked to phosgene, but its something you could never prove. There is no use fighting it” (Nelkin and Brown, pg.26). On the other side of the coin, management could counter with lack of knowledge. That is, if the workers do not bother to confront them with their problems there is nothing they can do about them. From there management could also suggest that if workers are unwilling to report symptoms, that it may be because of guilty consciousness. In other words workers are not taking proper precautions.
Other aspects were workers showed concerns is that of been able to associate their ill-effects to their working environment. There seems to be a feeling that many times they know what is causing the problem, such as feeling sick every Thursday when a certain chemical is poured, yet they are unable to document their experiences. Workers suggest that due to their limited ability to receive information they are unable to process proper data; which may isolate the cause of their illness. Here management would be very hesitant to give a large amount of concern to this issue, especially if they follow proper procedures and regulations. Management could simply state that all levels are within government set regulations and thus there is no need for concern.
This above mentioned management response of being within regulations would also undoubtedly be used for other worker concerns. Such as the “scared factor” experienced by many of those interviewed. These workers felt very un-easy about certain smells and textures. There was also allot of concern in regards to future unknown factors. Workers expressed great fear of the lag time effects of the products they were using. Once again for these complaints management would simply state that all that can be done is to follow proper procedure and regulations.
This short analysis has shown that there seems to be a wide disparity between workers and management. Workers are increasingly becoming conscious of health concerns and how they are associated to their working environment. Yet the “system”does not seem able to keep up and answer these concerns. This was described in the paper by showing the difference between worker and management attitudes regarding the main issues expressed by workers.
Другие работы по теме:
Workers And Laborers Essay Research Paper Workers
Workers And Laborers Essay, Research Paper Workers and Laborers There are two kinds of people in the work force. There are laborers and there are workers. The difference between these two types of people is that a worker enjoys his or her job while a laborer does not. To the laborer, his or her life is almost equivalent to a wage slave.
External Suppliers Essay Research Paper The US
External Suppliers Essay, Research Paper The US Army Reserve Personnel Center is in need of upgrading its information technology. Currently, the workers are having trouble with their existing mainframe system, and sharing information. Documents must be printed out in order to view formats. Personnel must go the basement for printouts, and AS400 maintenance.
Eight Ways To Spur Creativity In Your
Employees Essay, Research Paper Eight Ways to Spur Creativity in Your Employees By Daniel Collison, Associate Editor, Smart Workplace Practices It’s a dog-eat-dog business climate. To ensure your business’s survival beyond 2001, listen to your workers’ profit-minded, productivity-boosting suggestions.
The Industrial Revolution Essay Research Paper The
The Industrial Revolution Essay, Research Paper The industrial revolution My view of the industrial age started in the 1700 A positive effect of the industrial revolution was the greatly enhanced labor productivity brought about by the mechanization of production processes (and the resulting widespread adoption of coal or water power factory-based manufacturing).
The Chartist Movement Essay Research Paper The
The Chartist Movement Essay, Research Paper The Chartist Movement was one of rights. The workers felt they had worked hard for the rights than those of higher classes had. However, they were not arguing for more money or more land, all they wanted was universal suffrage. The workers believed it was time to put the unrest, to rest.
Management Practices Essay Research Paper 1 Managers
Management Practices Essay, Research Paper 1.) Managers must have great personal skills so that they can effectively communicate goals of the manager to his or her workers. Managers must also be great motivators. If workers are motivated to perform at their best and want to do the best job they can, the results of their work will be better.
Selfhelp Groups Essay Research Paper Selfhelp groups
Self-help Groups Essay, Research Paper ?Self-help groups consist of individuals who share the same problem or concern. Members provide emotional support to one another, learn ways to cope, discover strategies for improving their condition, and help others while helping themselves (Wituk, Shepherd, Slavich, Warren, & Meissen, 2000).?
African Slave Trade Essay Research Paper With
African Slave Trade Essay, Research Paper With exploration arising in the 1400 s, so did the completion for success between Portugal and Spain. Both countries were in search for the ultimate prize of exploration, gold. Portugal sought after Africa and Spain attempted to find more in the Americas. Even though the African slave trade seemed racist in historical perspective, it was indeed more for economic benefits instead because of the necessity of workers by Spaniards and fact that slavery was accepted in Africa.
Marxism Essay Research Paper Marxism is a
Marxism Essay, Research Paper Marxism is a type of scientific socialism. Karl Marx was a communist used this to differentiate his ideas from the utopian socialist. His main idea was ?Workers of the world unite.? Marx also wrote the book ?The Communist Manifest?, in 1848.
Social Security 2 Essay Research Paper Social
Social Security 2 Essay, Research Paper Social security is very essential for most of today s older Americans. Since it was begun, it has been a sort of protection for retired workers, and for disabled workers. Social Security allows people to live independently and still have their dignity. There are about 150 million workers protected by Social security and more then 44 million people receive Social Security benefits.
Flaws In Germinal Essay Research Paper The
Flaws In Germinal Essay, Research Paper The Flaws in Germinal At first glance, one might say the capitalist system is righteous and it leads to more productivity, but upon discreet examination, the system has numerous flaws. As we discussed in class, one of the main flaws was the inability of the workers to advance themselves in society beyond the point of keeping food in their stomachs.
Secondary Education Essay Research Paper For many
Secondary Education Essay, Research Paper For many skilled workers who are in the work force, the question of continuing education is always on their minds. Should they pursue secondary education? Is it too late? Will they have time and resources? Do the rewards worth the efforts? In today’s competitive working environment, it is an essential for job seeker to have a solid education background.
Untitled Essay Research Paper Business has always
Untitled Essay, Research Paper Business has always been the major of my choice because of the endless possibilities. You are on your own in a business – but you are also your own boss. And with this comes the privileges. Structure your business to the limits of your imagination. Anything can be sold for the right price.
Notre Dame Essay Research Paper Notre Dame
Notre Dame Essay, Research Paper Notre Dame Notre Dame is a cathedral. The word cathedral comes from the Latin word cathedra, which is the name that was given to the throne was called where the
Types Of Unemployment Essay Research Paper UNEMPLOYMENT
Types Of Unemployment Essay, Research Paper UNEMPLOYMENT In industrialized countries in which most people can earn a living only by working for others, being unable to find a job is a serious problem. Because of its human
The Purposes Of Luis Valdez S Essay
, Research Paper The Purposes of Luis Valdez s Plays There are several purposes to the actos; one-act plays written by Luis Valdez such as the play Los Vendidos. The main purpose of Luis Valdez s plays is to educate farmers and the general public. Valdez s plays were a means to get migrants to organize into a viable farm workers’ union.
Social Work Essay Research Paper Social Workers
Social Work Essay, Research Paper Social Workers in the United States have many roles and needs to fill in society. They are seen as the people that nurse the homeless, unemployed, hunger-stricken, and destitute back to life. It is their choice to help those more unfortunate than themselves, and although it is considered a “job”, it is really a way of life.
Social Security Essay Research Paper Social securityThe
Social Security Essay, Research Paper Social security The issue I am addressing today is what to do about social security. There is going to be a large problem with our social security in years to come. Both Al Gore and Bush
Immigrants Essay Research Paper Are Immigrants A
Immigrants Essay, Research Paper Are Immigrants A To the U.S? Immigrants are not a burden to the U.S. Therefore, we shouldn’t stop all immigration . Immigrants are hard workers and are not causing unemployment for
Douglas M Mcgregor Essay Research Paper Douglas
Douglas M. Mcgregor Essay, Research Paper Douglas M. McGregor Mr. McGregor theorizes that management views an employee s motivation toward work in two distinct ways Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X managers believe the following: (1) The average worker naturally does not like work and will avoid it whenever possible. (2) Managers must always control, motivate, and direct their employees to perform well. (3) Most workers prefer being directed, avoid responsibility, and seek job security.
The Particular Features Of The Employmentsystem In
Essay, Research Paper The Particular Features Of The EmploymentSystem In Japan One of the unique and well known features of theJapanese employment system is permanent employment forworkers. Japanese corporations responses to recessionaryperiods provide an opportunity to sort out the myths from therealities of the Japanese permanent employment system.
People And Machines Essay Research Paper People
People And Machines Essay, Research Paper People and Machines The problem is not with the machine: it is with the man who allows himself to become mechanical. People work on machines all day long. Many of
Three Sides Of Labor Unions Essay Research
Paper Summarize the three arguments on labor unions. To start with, the Conservatives believe that labor unions are bad. They feel that labor unions have too much power for their size. Labor unions use this power as blackmail against companies, by becoming labor monopolies. They ask too much of companies, causing either the company to shut down, or to supply more money for the employees.
Summary Paper Essay Research Paper Summary of
Summary Paper Essay, Research Paper Summary of Latex Allergies Latex Allergy in the Workplace talks about the background of the obvious problem of Latex allergy. Natural rubber latex is extracted from the milky sap of the rubber tree, Hevea Braziliensis namely in Malaysia. The history of Latex gloves began over a hundred years ago.
United Farm Workers Essay Research Paper The
United Farm Workers Essay, Research Paper The United Farm Worker s Union (UFW) has made the same mistakes that other unions have made in the past 25 years. The number one reason for the UFW not having as much of significance with agro-business today was that they lost the ties to their roots. Just as the Teamsters and AFL-CIO, getting local communities together and fighting for basic human rights formed the UFW.
Saturn A New Kind Of Car Essay
, Research Paper Saturn: A New Kind of Car Saturn has brought new production and marketing concepts to its business, which helped it achieve the goals and standards set for its cars. During the 70 s GM was experiencing a market decline, this was the main factor in the decision to launch an entirely new line of cars.
NAFTA Essay Research Paper If NAFTA made
NAFTA Essay, Research Paper If NAFTA made this agreement, people would be able to move about Canada, the United States, and Mexico with ease. The unskilled workers in Mexico would migrate to “El Norte,” looking for higher paying jobs. The supply of workers in Mexico will drastically decrease. Only the terminally ignorant, or those with families in Mexico, would stay in a poor country and earn low wages.
Progressive Reform Essay Research Paper The Progressive
Progressive Reform Essay, Research Paper The Progressive Era produced widespread consumer, labor, and political changes in our country in the late 1800 s. For a while a basic principle inherited from Great Britain was used by American businesses, which led to consumer protection. Many labor laws were passed to protect workers who were injured on the job.
Neat People Vs Sloppy People Essay Research
Paper Recently, I have seen the differences between neat people and sloppy people. I have found out that the differences between those two kinds of persons are based on their morality. Neat people are hard workers, and they are always happy. Sloppy people are very lazy; they can not never get something done.
Meat Facorties From The 1920S (The Jungle)
) Essay, Research Paper Meat Factories! How Disgusting! Meat factories have been recently under sedge because of how things are done. The whole ordeal started with the unions? workers strike for more pay. From there this situation just got worse. Labor spies had been infiltrated into the union, meaning that the executives knew what was going on before it happened.
Cambodia Essay Research Paper Cambodia is known
Cambodia Essay, Research Paper Cambodia is known for its war torn history as well as its factor in international business. By using Griffins framework, and reading the article A Bumpy Road to Reform out of the September 11. 2000 issue of Business Week it is easy to see why such large companies such as Nike, Target, Gap, JC Penny and Wal-Mart see interest in this war ravaged nation in need of export earnings and investment.