In the Work Environment Authority’s booklet The organisational and social work environment – important pieces in the good work environment puzzle, a number of issues are raised which can help work with the social work environment. Here are some of the key points:
- Is there already knowledge about preventing and managing unhealthy workloads and discrimination – and if so, who has it?
- How can we ensure that everyone who needs such knowledge actually gets it?
- What options do managers and supervisors have when something goes wrong?
- What are your targets within the near future, and how can you achieve them? Are they anchored with everybody, including senior management?
- What are the demands at work and what resources are there? Are these two factors balanced?
- Is there any time for recovery?
- Are there channels for detecting and reporting signals of unhealthy workloads?
- In cases of social ill-health, is it clear who can help and support and what powers they have?
- What forums are there for dialogues?
- Are there health risks due to the scheduling of working hours? If this is the case, can they be avoided?
- Does everyone know what discrimination is? It is clearly unacceptable?
- Do we know what is at the root of discrimination?
- Do we do anything about it?
- Does everyone know who to contact about discrimination?
- Do these people know what to do and where to find information?
- Is it clear where victims can get help as quickly as possible?
Signs that can indicate there are problems in the organisational and social work environment
- Sick leave, sick people at work, high staff turnover.
- Accidents, incidents and other deviations.
- Overtime work. Taking work home, working through breaks or lunches.
- Low quality or late delivery of work.
- High pace of work. Signals that it is difficult to keep up with or manage work.
- Conflicts and problems when collaborating.
- Lack of motivation, depression, irritation.
- Aches, insomnia, fatigue, problems with stomach and intestines
- Poor concentration, poor memory, problems getting started and taking initiative.
Source: Work Environment Authority