Work environment
Work environment is a material and psychosocial set of factors with which employee meets at work. Factors can pose a threat to health and life. The work environment is broadly understood surrounding. We distinguish material factors such as furniture, machines, electronics, social room equipment and the so-called human factor, i.e. relationships with teammates and the boss[1].
Physical factors
Physical factors are connected with work ergonomics. These incorporate:
- lighting - Lighting may have poor intensity and color. When the light is too or no enough intensive eyesight has to be more concentrated and attentive,
- noise - If it is too loud, it can damage your hearing. It can also reduce mental resistance, reduce motor coordination, and even cause problems with color discrimination,
- temperature - In offices and light physical work, the temperature should be at least 18 Celsius degree. With hard physical work, the temperature should not be less than 14 Celsius degrees,
- air humidity - The optimum amount of water vapor contained in the air depends on the temperature, but it ranges from 35% to 50%,
- electromagnetic radiation - A human can not feel electromagnetic radiation, but it has a bad effect on the body. Radiation may damage tissues. Special tests are needed to detect them.
In certain callings, airborne residue can likewise represent a wellbeing hazard. A man who works in an environment well suited to his profession is more efficient[2].
Healthy work environment
A healthy workplace starts with the right leader. If work has to be effective in a good team, teammates have to trust the leader. Without healthy workers, the enterprise can't maintain or increase ist potential. The caring of employees converts into the supporting of the enterprise itself. The workplace is the best when:
- based on amazing cooperation,
- support,
- friendship,
- unified soul,
- pride.
At the point when mind workers feel their commitments are important and significant, they have more motivation to work. Integration events and trips have a good impact on the team's cooperation. In these times enterprises do a lot for the mental and physical health of their workers. In modern workplaces, we can find the gym, playroom, pool tables, garden, restaurant or place where employees can to take a nap. Offices are built to give workers the greatest comfort of work, employees have to feel appreciated and their rights are respected[3].
Factors badly affecting the employee
There are also factors in the work environment that are harmful to the employee's health. Malaise can be affected by inadequate room temperature, bad lighting. Physical problems cause one position for a long time. They usually show pain, back, joints and hunger. Mental factors affecting the well-being of a worker include, among others are a high degree of work, monotonous work, lack of support and insecure work. Toxic co-workers affect the mental health and atmosphere of employees. One wrong person can destroy the well-coordinated team[4].
Pathology in the work environment
Sometimes in the work environment, we can notice bad behavior. Employees or employers have a bad attitude toward other employees. In special cases, we can talk about pathology in the work environment. Mobbing and sexual abuse are the most common threats. We can talk about mobbing when the employee is a cognizant, tireless mental provocation of a worker in a verbal or non-verbal way by a director or collaborator or even a bigger number of individuals or the whole association. As an outcome of this conduct, the worker is in an awful mental state, showed by diminished confidence, a feeling of disengagement and even uneasiness.Sexual abuse is offensive comments, suggestive jokes, and unwanted physical contact[5].
| Work environment — recommended articles |
| Negative motivation — Motivation — Behavioral approach — Occupational hygiene — Atmosphere at work — Duties of employers — External motivation — Cultural values — Death from overwork |
References
- Bowie V. (ed.)(2012), Workplace violence, Routledge, United Kingdom
- Hedge A. (ed.)(2016), Ergonomic workplace design for health, wellness and productivity CRC Press, USA
- Jameson C. (ed.)(2016), Creating a helthy work environment, Balboa Press, Carlsbad
- Successful working environments(2017), 50Minutes.com, USA
- Pal Singh L. (ed.)(2018), Humanizing work and work environment, Indian society of ergonomics, Calcutta
Footnotes
Author: Izabela Szmalec
