Relationship between Quality of Work Life and Work Alienation: Research on Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of the study is examined primary school teachers' quality of work life and work alienation perceptions. The sample of the study was composed of teachers (N=426) employed in Bolu province central and district state primary schools in 2010-2011 academic year. For data collection purposes, "Personal Information Form" was used to gather demographic information on the teachers, "Quality of Work Life Scale" developed by McDonald (2001) and adapted to Turkish by the researcher was used to determine perceptions related to quality of work life and "Work Alienation Scale" developed by Elma (2003) was utilized to determine alienation levels. Research results show that teachers displayed negative perceptions in salary and additional benefits and involvement and responsibility at work sub dimensions of Quality of Work Life scale while they had positive perceptions in the other sub dimensions. Arithmetic means regarding teachers' perceptions on work alienation show that teachers felt alienated from school followed by feelings of powerlessness, meaninglessness and isolation. In general, negative and significant relationships were detected between all Quality of Work Life sub dimensions and work alienation sub dimensions.