Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet



Dignity in the workplace? 



Traditional practices of ‘Human Resource Management’ are actually counter-productive, but there are a range of positive practices that workplaces can adopt to help create humanity-affirming workplaces, says new report



Human Resources reportA new report into whether workplaces are humanity-affirming or dehumanising has been launched. Based on pioneering research into public and charity sector employees conducted at Newcastle University, it finds that many traditional practices of ‘Human Resource Management’ are actually counter-productive. It highlights a range of positive practices that workplaces can adopt to help create humanity-affirming workplaces, and asks what the modern workplace can learn from the church.

The report, entitled Human Resources? Recognising the Personhood of Workers in the Charity and Public Sectors, has been written by Newcastle University Reader in Political Geography, Dr Nick Megoran, a member of Heaton Baptist Church in Newcastle. Although there have been many previous studies into the welfare, health and rights of workers, this is the first that explicitly focuses on the more fundamental question of what it means to treat workers as proper human beings. The report asks whether people are treated as commodities under ‘human resource’ management regimes, or as beings created, as the Christian tradition has it, ‘in the image of God.’

With support from the William Leech Research Fund, The Church of England and the Northern Baptist Association, Dr Megoran interviewed more than 60 North East academics, school teachers and church leaders, as well as HR managers. Workers in these three fields are generally highly motivated because they have a strong sense of vocation - that their work is inherently important for society. Many people in fact take significant salary cuts to enter these professions.

Being intrinsically motivated has significant impacts for how they are managed. The report identifies eight aspects of what Megoran calls ‘highly-humanising workplaces’: for example, that people are given the freedom and autonomy to do jobs they have a sense of vocation for, and that their commitment to wanting to make a difference is respected. It raises thorny questions such as universities’ over-reliance on staff on precarious contracts, how schools handle the dreaded ‘Ofsted’ inspections, and how hostile congregations can make churches toxic places for their ministers.
 
At the same time, the research found that the presence or absence of ‘cultures of care’ is significant, and points to good practices that staff, church congregations and lay leadership teams can pursue to help ensure that their workplaces are experienced as humanity-affirming.

The research was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr’s belief that the biblical doctrine of creation ‘imago Dei’ needs translating into practical treatment of each other.  King believed that everyone was made in God’s image and was therefore worthy of dignity. The report asks: what does this look like in the workplace? 

Dr Megoran is also an Honorary Chaplain at Newcastle University, and a member of Heaton Baptist Church, Newcastle. 

 

Baptist Times, 10/07/2019
    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast