Commodity or Dignity?

Dignity is in part a measure of individual worth determined through social interactions. As people must enjoy core capabilities in order to possess dignity, work is one activity through which core capabilities may be achieved. Workplace managers have a duty to enact dignity affirming discourse so their workers perceive ownership of core capabilities that afford them a sense of work and fulfillment. Dignity disaffirming (or violating) discourse obstructs core capabilities, leaving work unsatisfying and workers physiologically, psychologically, and emotionally damaged. Not only do they suffer, but so do their organizations. Evidence indicates people tend not to recognize certain dignity violating discourses. Similarly, people tend not to place high importance on dignity affirming discourse. These phenomena could hinder organizational efforts to nurture worker dignity and hamper organizational productivity and profitability. This study culminates in a university-level course intended to raise awareness of dignity-violating discursive behaviors and their consequences, and to train in dignity promoting discourse that nurtures worker dignity while supporting organizational success.