Can the Human Resources Index (HRI) Be Used as a Process Feedback Measurement in a Structured Support Model for Systematic Work Environment Management?

Fredrik Molin,Sofia Åström Paulsson,Therese Hellman,Magnus Svartengren

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126509

Fredrik Molin, Sofia Åström Paulsson + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126509

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate the level of the human resources index (HRI) measure among Swedish municipal employees, and to investigate the association between human resources index (HRI) and relational justice, short-term recovery, work environment-related production loss, and health-related production loss. A cross-sectional design was used with one sample of municipal employees (n = 6402). The results showed a positive association (r = 0.31) between human resources index (HRI) and relational justice; a positive (r = 0.27) association between HRI and short-term recovery; a negative association between HRI and work environment-related production loss (r = −0.37); and a negative association between HRI and health-related production loss (r = −0.23). The findings implicate that HRI captures important aspects of the work environment such as productivity, relational justice, and short-term recovery. The HRI measure is part of a support model used in workplaces to systematically address work environment-related issues. Monitoring changes in the HRI measure, it is possible to determine whether the measures taken effect production loss, perceived leadership, and short-term recovery in a work group. The support model using HRI may thus be used to complement traditional work environment surveys conducted in Swedish organizations as obliged by legal provisions.

Highlights

Work environment surveys investigating the perceived work environment of the employees are becoming an established part of the systematic work environment management performed in Swedish organizations
The results from this study suggest that the human resources index (HRI) measure is a useful process feedback measurement that can be used to address several issues related to occupational health
The findings implicate that HRI captured important aspects of the work environment such as productivity, relational justice, and short-term recovery

Summary

Introduction

Work environment surveys investigating the perceived work environment of the employees are becoming an established part of the systematic work environment management performed in Swedish organizations. Studies indicate that the provision is not implemented in all sectors in Sweden [2], and the integration of systematic work environment management within Swedish organizations remain weak [3]. You respond to an open-ended question that reads: “What characterises your work situation ?” You answer by writing down what you think of until you get a bullet list: Your first answer—a thought or perception; Your second answer; Your third answer; Your fourth answer; Etc. When you are finished, the bullet list is saved, and each bullet reappears on the screen. You will be asked to answer a few short questions. They are part of a large research project on how the work environment affects our health and productivity.

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