How to map and analyze the work environment

The Nordic labour research institutes have developed the “Great Nordic Questionnaire on the Working Environment”

Many people are searching for appropriate measuring tools for work environment. There are many forms that the individual company has developed itself. It turns out that this often has many sources of error. At NHO's annual conference, Stami's CEO, Pål Molander, focused on what creates a good working environment. Stami has been an important contributor to the development of the Great Nordic Questionnaire (QPSNordic).

Symbio Consult AS offers a tool that is easy to use, cost-effective, and professionally well-grounded. Questalyze HR HMS is a web solution based on QPSNordic. In addition to measuring, combinations of responses are analyzed in the survey. One can generate a report immediately after the survey is completed. The analysis and report help the group sort out what is important to focus on in terms of “conservation” and development factors”.

Background and academic background

The Nordic labour research institutes have developed the “Great Nordic Questionnaire on the Working Environment”.

QPSNordic is a general questionnaire to measure psychological, social and organisational factors in work, such as characteristics of work tasks, the organisation and individual work-related attitudes. QPSNordic measures factors found in most forms of work and in most workplaces. It should be considered whether there are special circumstances, special types of work or external factors (e.g. the financial situation) that make it necessary to supplement QPSNordic with additional instruments or other methods.

QPSNordic can be used as a research instrument or as a “survey-feedback” method in connection with organizational development. QPSNordic is designed to measure employees' perception of psychological, social, and organizational working conditions with the following objectives:

to provide a basis for organisational development and action (intervention),
to document change in working conditions, and for evaluating results of interventions in the organization.
to research relationships between work and health, motivation, job satisfaction, productivity, etc.

Questalyze HR/HMS — Measurement and analysis based on QPSNordic.

Questalyze® HR/HMS is an integral part of Questalyze and is specifically aimed at investigations that focus inward within an organization/company: Occupational health and safety surveys and organizational development.

Option 1. Finished questionnaire adapted to Nordic conditions — psychosocial factors in the work environment

The survey measures working environment factors with significance for job satisfaction, performance, etc.
The questions have been thoroughly tested and validated by Nordic working environment researchers and recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Benchmarking: In the accompanying OSH report, workers' responses are compared with workers in other (anonymized) organizations. The benchmarking material is 100% representative according to Statistics Norway's industry classification

Option2. Finished questionnaire adapted to Nordic conditions — psychosocial factors in the work environment, as well as physical work environment as an option

Option: Physical, ergonomic and chemical work environment, plus individual risk assessment
Reports can be collected at all levels (organization level, department level, group level, etc.
The report also provides a qualified analysis of several cause/effect relationships with different colour codes as visual indicators
Employee Satisfaction Indicator
You also have the option to add your own questions

Security/Anonymity

The Questalyze HR HSE work environment survey is particularly well ensured that individuals' responses are identified. For example, it is not possible to take out a report/analysis until at least four employees have submitted a response. It is also technically impossible to link submitted responses to factors that can identify individuals' responses (email address, IP address, etc.).

Who can become users?

Questalyze HR HSE can be used by both practitioners and researchers. The tool can be used to examine associations between psychological and social factors in work on the one hand, and health, job satisfaction and motivation on the other. Our clients are e.g.: Corporate health services, consultants, HR departments of small and large businesses.

Skills and knowledge required

The following skills and knowledge are required: (1) to be able to manage the method, (2) analyze data on psychological and social factors at work, (3) investigate the relationships between these, health and well-being, and (4) present the results and (5) interpret the results together with the participants.

Basic knowledge of surveys as a method, interpretation of statistical analyses, as well as understanding of organizational development is required. During feedback of results and findings, it is helpful to have skills in managing group work and understanding group dynamics. Ethical assessments are important both in research and in organizational development. The person responsible for the investigation, whether it concerns development work or science, must ensure the confidentiality of all individual participants.

Courses

Symbio Consult AS offers both open and corporate internships courses in the use of the tool. A workbook has also been prepared that can be used for feedback.

If you would like more information, please use the contact form on this website.