The preferential option for the poor and the Marxian-Christian perspective on distributive justice

Using a social economics perspective, this essay examines the positive and negative effects of job security, insecurity and the perceptions thereof on the welfare of workers, organizations, and society, as well as policy options that could alleviate the negative socio-economic consequences of job insecurity. The essay questions perceived job insecurity as a device to increase worker effort, both on efficiency and ethical grounds. It also suggests that increased perceptions of job insecurity have adversely affected workers' well-being and have undesirable macroeconomic and social effects. Public policy makers and researchers should examine ways to minimize the negative consequences associated with involuntary job loss. They should also consider to what extent both limiting firms' ability to layoff workers and providing incentives to firms that downsize to use alternatives to layoffs are socially desirable.