Aspirations for work well done

It is generally accepted that stress in the workplace is because employees do not have the resources to meet the organisation’s demands. In the same way, Yves Clot explains that stress may also result when the organisation does not have the means to satisfy employees’ wishes to carry out high quality work. In this case, ‘recognition policies’ implemented by companies to provide employees with psychological support, and to help them to cope with not doing a good job are like putting plasters on a wooden leg. To improve the quality of life in the workplace, one must first assess the quality of the work. Since this involves many criteria and is a source of conflict and dilemma, it is necessary both for the company’s performance and for employee well-being to have constant discussions about the criteria for high quality work in organisations. A ‘job well done’ is the key to company performance and employee well-being.