Working at the Edge of the World

• Main Authors: Norris, Kimberley, Holland, Peter, Hecker, Rob, Liang, Xiaoyan
• Other Authors: Swinburne University of Technology
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Routledge 2020
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/457023; https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351034906-5

This chapter looks at the complexities of managing a workforce in such an extreme environment in the technology-intensive 21st century, which are arguably making the ability to manage work and non-work life potentially more difficult. Working in Antarctica necessitates living and working in close confines with others not of one’s own choosing, and without hope of ‘reprieve’ from their organisation. The role of human resource management is therefore not only to enable the specific person-job fit but the ability to select people who can cope with the demanding physical, psychological and social aspects of working in such an extreme environment. The interface between work and family roles has significant implications for Antarctic employees, so every decision made with regard to work and family relations can have a major impact on the individual and families’ well-being. Research has generated substantial knowledge in terms of our understanding of how humans function under extreme conditions.