A changing life at work: ethical ramifications

Abstract

This opening chapter presents an overview of global trends in life at work. It focuses on the occupational health implications of work and thereby on the roles and functions of, and also the expectations placed upon, all the health professionals involved there. The aim is to provide a background to, and perspective on, issues of ethics in occupational health professions, which are described and discussed in greater detail and on a more concrete level later in this book. We start with a review of the overarching trends in global development that have an important impact on life at work. By so doing, we are reminded of both positive aspects, such as signi®cant improvements in material work conditions, and some negative aspects, such as signi®cant inequalities in health and safety between and within regions and nations of the world. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 2 are referred to as cornerstone documents with regard to ethical dimensions of conditions at work. Developments in Europe, with reference to the European Social Charter 3 and the framework directive on safety and health at work, 4 are commented upon in terms of their ethical implications. The changing horizon of occupational health hazards is described, in particular with respect to the emergence of work organisation as a carrier and source of health-determining factors. New conceptions of ethical implications in the arena of occupational health are introduced at this stage. In concluding the chapter, the implications of these changes for the roles of occupational health professionals are discussed. Examples are given of the kinds of ethical questions which arise.