Perceived unequal and unfair workplaces trigger lower job satisfaction and lower workers’ dignity via organizational dehumanization and workers’ self‐objectification

Abstract

Despite the increasing wage disparities and the unfair distribution of resources in many organizations, there have not been enough academic explorations into the role of these contextual variables on dehumanization processes and psychosocial risk factors among employees. This project addresses how perceptions of economic inequality and unfairness in the distribution of resources can influence individuals’ perceptions of dehumanization and self‐objectification, and trigger detrimental consequences in the workplace. Using two correlational surveys in different cultural contexts (N = 748), and two experimental studies (N = 662), this research consistently shows that both high inequality and high unfairness perceptions decrease job satisfaction and dignity at work through dehumanization processes. Specifically, both inequality and unfairness increase perceived organizational dehumanization, which in turn increases participants’ self‐objectification. Self‐objectification is associated with lower job satisfaction and dignity at work. This paper discusses the consequences of economic disparities on individuals’ recognition of their own humanity.

Not all ballots should be considered equal: How education‐based dehumanization undermines the democratic social contract

“…It would be interesting to explore whether the extent to which individuals with lesser education perceive that they are dehumanized within society leads to a possible self‐dehumanization that could potentially motivate them to refrain from public participation in democratic decisions as voters or as representatives. In this sense, previous research has tested how low (vs. high) socioeconomic individuals perceive higher meta‐dehumanization from society (Sainz, Martínez, Moya, et al., 2020) or that meta‐dehumanization can trigger individuals' self‐dehumanization (Sainz et al., 2023). These processes contribute to undermining individuals' well‐being or decreasing individuals' dignity.…”