LABOR RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES IN SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES

Abstract

Introduction. Ensuring Ukraine’s socio-economic development is linked to the development of a modern socially oriented economy, the revival of domestic production, and the restoration of social security for the population. The labor market, which is one of the elements of a market economy, as well as its state regulation in the context of small and medium-sized businesses, is of significant importance in the practical solution of these problems, which, accordingly, requires research. The situation on the labor market in the small and medium-sized business segment remains difficult: there are both obvious and latent problems of non-compliance with the labor rights of employees, and the modification of the relevant legislation has only deepened the imbalance of interests between employers and employees. Against this backdrop, there is a need to create models for balancing these interests based not only on a legal paradigm, but also on a managerial paradigm of efficiency. Purpose. Conducting an analysis of scientific publications, expert opinions, and statistical data to form conclusions about the state of compliance with labor rights of employees in small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine, and developing a conceptual model for overcoming challenges based on the CSR effectiveness paradigm using an interdisciplinary approach. Methods. The study was conducted within the framework of the constructivist paradigm and an interdisciplinary approach. The following set of methods was used: theoretical generalization, comparison, analysis and synthesis, induction, and deduction. Results. It was shown that although there are both obvious and latent problems in the area of compliance with labor rights of employees in the small and medium-sized business sector in Ukraine, it is unlikely that they can be effectively resolved on the basis of a purely legal, legislative, and regulatory approach, given that the root cause of these problems lies in the lack of balance between the interests of the employee and the employer and even a certain antagonism between these interests. In view of this, it is proposed to adopt an interdisciplinary perspective in order to combine the regulatory and managerial context of SMEs based on the paradigm and relevant strategies of corporate social responsibility, by creating a shared value of respect for workers’ labor rights. Prospects. It is argued that further research should focus on deepening the interdisciplinary discourse on the implementation of workers’ labor rights based on a convergent combination of legal and organizational-managerial aspects.