Quality of Work Life and Change Management

Abstract

The concept of Quality of Work life (QWL) means having a work-environment where an employee’s activities become more important by implementing procedures or policies that make the work less routine and more rewarding for the employee. Results of high QWL are low absenteeism, high performance, and higher morale. To apply a new philosophical foundation in the organization, change management is needed. The objective of this study is to apply the QWL concept in a steel company located in East Java. Change management is needed to start the change process. The construct of QWL used are from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Condition (EWON, 2002). The respondents are 24 people as the head of division and head of section. This study uses action research design conducted in a company, by applying the concept of change management from Lewin, which includes the stages unfreeze, move, and freeze. The given program is unfreeze program in a form of training with the aim to establish a self-awareness of employees to deal with change. The results obtained indicate that the program can unfreeze done to raise awareness of employees to change.