Some problems and counter-measures in modern labour. From single causal factors assessment to the analysis of multiple forms of hardship at work

1. 1. Methods are needed through which work situations can be analyzed in terms of the complex set of circumstances which they in fact involve.

2. 2. A number of office workplaces were examined with respect to both physical aspects of the work premises and the content of work. The study of task-related complaints was limited to those which are related to aspects of office work conducted using computer terminals (VDT work).

3. 3. For the purpose of illuminating the combined importance of office design and working conditions of the VDT work, the study considered the occurrence of complaints related to both sources.

4. 4. A questionnaire study (containing about 250 questions) covering all employees in eight workplaces and 269 people in total, of which 195 were VDT operators.

5. 5. The concepts, source of complain, type of complaint and were used to provide an analysis of the composite picture of complaints.

6. 6. A combination of premises-related and VDT-related complaints applies to a large number of office workers and only a few people stated were wholly free from difficulties.

7. 7. The findings indicate that by also taking account of the design of office premiss as a source of hardship, we have obtained further report for the view that the pattern of complaints is rather complicated in the case of most people who devote themselves to VDT work.

8. 8. Climatic problems arise extremely frequently, as too do problems in obtaining an appropriate balance between privacy and social contact at work.