Reflection groups: a resource in work transformation

Abstract

This article aims to present in details and to argue for the method of Groups of Reflection (GR) and the contributions thesemay bring in the transformations of work to ergonomics, worker health, collective health and the practices for prevention, treatmentand rehabilitation in social psychology and occupational therapy. GRs are temporary groups created preferentially outside the workplaceduring working hours and having a delegate and advisory participation. GRs use the technique and theoretical grounds of Pichon-Riviere’s operative groups (OGs) in the animation of groups, a suitable form of tripartite group, and activity as an instrumental resource.In addition to the positive effect in communication and psychosocial environment, GRs contribute for improvements in interpersonalrelationships, personal cooperation, behavior and work performance, surpassing the resistance to change and leading to learning for allparticipants. These positive effects favor changes in the conditions and organization of work. GRs represent a form of useful psychosocialintervention in the confrontation of obstacles commonly found in the interventions in work, in rehabilitation processes and professionalinsertion through the implicit task, and with the concrete participation of the several social actors (different hierarchic levels).