Tekijät

• Virtanen, Pekka (University of Tampere. Medical School)

Asiasanat

arrangement of working time, autonomy at work, employees, employment contracts, health, job security, labour relations, local government, municipalities, occupational health care, occupational life, personnel management, social networks, temporary employment, working conditions

Sisällön kuvaus

This survey is a follow-up to a survey conducted in 1998. It charts the working conditions, welfare and health of non-permanent employees in seven Finnish municipalities. The research project was funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund and the municipalities participating in the survey.

First, respondents were asked how many employment contracts and jobs they had had during 1999-2001, and whether they had been unemployed during that period. Economic activity during that period, and at present were investigated. Further questions covered daily and weekly working hours at present, and possible change in occupation since the first survey. Employees on a fixed-term contract were asked what they think will happen when the present employment contracts ends. Working respondents evaluated the degree of insecurity connected to their work (e.g. threat of dismissal or of prolonged unemployment, involuntary transfer to other duties).

The survey also covered respondents' state of health. Self-perceived health and working capacity were investigated, likewise any long-term illnesses or disabilities diagnosed by a doctor. Mental well-being and life control were charted with a number of questions pertaining to, for example, feelings of disappointment with others, indifference to everything, or feelings of being treated unfairly. Respondents were asked whether they have felt stressed, depressed or worthless recently, and whether they had been unable to sleep, make decisions, or generally cope, etc. Visits to a doctor during the past year, and the right to use occupational health care at present and during 1999-2001 were surveyed. Respondents were asked whether they had had their health checked by an occupational health nurse.

Social relations were charted by asking whom respondents can trust if they need help, approval or want to relax, and who could make them feel better if they are dispirited, etc. One theme focused on the demands of the respondent's job: workload, pressure, degree of variety, work pace, requirements, etc. Some questions covered job autonomy: to what extent respondents can decide how and when to do their job, at what pace, when to take a break or have a holiday, etc.

Perceptions of working environment were studied by asking respondents to evaluate the workplace climate: was it supportive, tense or gossiping, was there any bullying, could fellow workers be trusted, etc. The survey also carried a set of statements relating to management and supervision practices at the respondents' place of work.

Background variables included respondent's vocational education and marital status. The data can be combined with the the year 1998 data by using the Id variable.