The work environment is everyone’s responsibility, but there’s help to be had
You can do a lot of things yourself when it comes to your work environment, but you might need help designing your workplace. Photo: Pixabay
For you and your work to function well, the work environment needs to be good and safe. Uppsala University’s workplaces should not only feel safe and secure, they should also support well-being and good cooperation. The work environment is everyone’s responsibility, but it’s your responsibility to tell someone if something is not right. Although you can do a lot yourself, some interventions have to go via your immediate manager. You might need help designing your workplace. And there is help to be had.
Having the right tools that are functioning correctly for your job is of course the best foundation. This applies to both office work and laboratory work. If you have a functional variation, you can get special help involving various adjustments of both your workspace and equipment. The adjustments in that case should be reasonable.
The University has procured an occupational health service. Some services are basic services. HR covers the costs of these. Other services are paid for by the department, division or equivalent. It is important that you always talk to your manager first, who will make the necessary contacts.
From time to time, the occupational health service holds courses in stress management, for example. The stress management courses are provided at the occupational health service in groups. Employees who have taken these courses have found them to be very useful. To participate, you must first get approval from your manager.
An exception to the prior approval rule applies to anonymous support calls. As an employee, you can request two support calls per calendar year with a psychologist or counsellor from the occupational health service without first getting approval from your immediate manager. These calls must focus on work-related health issues.
Health profiles are offered to all employees who turn 50, 55, 60 and 65 years of age. The occupational health service sends out an offer to employees when they reach these ages. Employees can book an appointment within one year of receiving this offer for a health discussion, screening tests and a fitness test.
Sedentary work has been found to be associated with health risks. Varying your working position from sitting to standing is best. You might need a specially adjusted office chair or other assistive devices. An ergonomist can come to your workplace and provide advice tailored specifically for you.
There are also other things you can easily do to help create a good work environment. You can be considerate about when and where you talk, lowering your voice if not all your colleagues need to hear you. This applies in particular to stairwells where the sound floats both upwards and downwards. You should consider putting your phone in silent mode. Not using perfume and strong scents makes things easier for colleagues who are hypersensitive to these.
As it says in the Staff Policy, we are each other’s work environment.
Ulrika Hurtig