• Ensure that workers make suggestions or influence changes to work organization.
• Examine how work organization is set up and where it might be improved. Then organize group discussion about how workers can be more actively involved in continually improving work organization.
• When and where possible, allow workers to determine:
  •  how work is performed;
  • the working schedule;
  • whom they work with;
  • whether it is possible to work in small groups;
  • the choice of tools, equipment, furniture, etc.
• Encourage workers to present their ideas about improving their work organization through brief suggestion sessions or by organizing small group discussions.
• Keep records of all the changes to work organization, and evaluate them regularly.
• Make proposals and contributions known to all workers as well as the results of the implementation of such proposals. This will encourage further participation.

SOME MORE HINTS

• Involve workers in the decision-making process.
• Consider providing workers with increased mobility so they can learn different jobs and have different experiences, giving them opportunities to participate in decision-making about the work organization and the working conditions and environment.
• Discuss with workers the different measures being considered to change the work organization and the working environment.
• Provide information and training that will help workers participate in the decision-making process.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Involving workers in the decision-making process about working conditions and work organization will increase workers’ self-esteem and, at the same time, lead to decisions that have a broad base of support.

1. Plan the work tasks for a group of workers so that each worker or each subgroup can decide how, in which sequence and when the tasks will be done. This is better than assigning to each worker or subgroup fragmented tasks to be completed at a predetermined pace.
2. Hold brief meetings of the whole work group or team to jointly plan individual work assignments and time schedules. These can be held daily at the beginning of work or at regular intervals during the working week, the month or some other time, until the deadline is met.
3. Allow workers in the work group or team to influence the choice of tools, equipment, furniture and work methods. Group discussion is useful in achieving this and reaching feasible decisions.
4. Rearrange the work process so that individual workers or subgroups of workers can control the pace of work and execution of tasks.
5. Form autonomous work teams by assigning each team the responsibility to decide how to do the work.
6. Encourage workers to propose ideas about the way work is done within a group, section or team. Organize group discussion to rearrange work methods, taking into account the proposed ideas and other practicable options.

SOME MORE HINTS

• Collect good examples of autonomous work teams with information about changes made and their positive results. Disseminate these examples through notices on billboards, newsletters, leaflets and e-mails.
• With the participation of workers, evaluate the achievements of those work teams which have latitude and control over the way their work is done.
• Show appreciation for the initiatives of individual workers and work teams about work methods and autonomous procedures.
• Provide learning opportunities for workers to upgrade their knowledge and skills about their work tasks and autonomous ways of working.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Workers should be able to influence the way their work is performed and the quality of their results. Increased latitude and control over work greatly increases motivation and work quality, and reduces stress at work.

1. Create work processes in which workers can control their own work pace and execution of tasks.
2. Determine the extent to which workers are involved in the design and planning of work. Organize discussions on how they can be more actively involved in work organizational issues such as work methods, pace and pauses.
3. Where possible, in consultation with management, allow workers to:
   — jointly plan work assignments and time schedules;
   — determine the method, speed, cycle and sequencing of work;
   — determine where the work is done.
4. Through small group discussions, allow workers to influence the choice of tools, equipment and furniture.
5. Establish a process whereby workers and managers can jointly discuss means of improving the working environment along with productivity.

SOME MORE HINTS

• Urge workers to take responsibility for the work process, working conditions and productivity.
• Allow workers to control such work features as task assignment, pacing, priority and sequencing of individual work.
• Encourage workers to report challenges in working procedures and also assist in searching for solutions to such problems.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

A key to reducing stress at work is to allow workers to have more control over their work and working conditions.

1. Schedule regular meetings for workers to outline problems related to their work and suggest possible solutions.
2. Form a small working group which would ask workers and supervisors to develop solutions to workplace problems.
3. The working group may need information or technical advice to resolve a problem. Provide adequate support, information and technical advice if needed
4. Once the working group has completed its work, request feedback on the solutions it has proposed from all workers, managers and supervisors involved in the process.

SOME MORE HINTS

• Organizing a group of workers and supervisors to address a specific problem is productive and will address the problem from different perspectives.
• If workers know that they may be able to participate in a working group on a problem related to their work, they may be more ready to report work problems and seek solutions.
• The working group should be ready to seek the advice of others who have experienced in solving similar problems.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Involving workers in solving problems may lead to rapid, inexpensive and effective solutions to problems and, at the same time, encourage worker participation.