Balancing social and economic factors - explorative qualitative analysis of working conditions of supervisors in German social firms

Abstract

Background Social firms are companies on the general labour market which provide employment to people with severe disabilities. In this setting different job resources are offered for its employees, including social support or flexibility in terms of working hours, tasks or pace of work. However, to date, only limited evidence exists on the work and health situation of supervisors in social firms. Therefore, the study aims to explore job demands and resources of supervisors in social firms to increase knowledge in a little researched field and to develop recommendations for action on workplace health promotion. Methods Sixteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with supervisors of social firms in the North of Germany within July and November 2020. Different sectors such as gastronomy or cleaning services as well as employment opportunities for people with different types of disabilities were included. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed following the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (deductive-inductive approach). Results Overall, a heterogeneous composition was aimed for in terms of age and gender distribution (68.75% were male and between 32 and 60 years old). Supervisors reported various job demands in social firms, including for instance emotional demands, conflicts between social and economic objectives, conflict management, exposure to heat, heavy lifting or constant standing. In contrast, a high meaning of work, possibilities in shaping the structure of the social firm, social support of colleagues or the management and the provision of an ergonomic work environment were highlighted as job resources. Further person-related demands (e.g. own expectations) and resources (e.g. patience) were underlined as well. Conclusion First exploratory insights were provided with reference to job demands and resources for supervisors in social firms. The overview on working conditions underlines the significance of a supportive work environment taking structural and behavioural-related implications into account to reduce demands and strengthen resources. Further interventional research is needed regarding the development, testing and evaluation of workplace health promotion interventions in social firms.

Evaluation verhaltenspräventiver Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen in Inklusionsbetrieben

“…Im Rahmen eines 3‑jährigen Forschungsprojekts („Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung in Inklusionsbetrieben nach §§ 215 ff SGB IX – BeGIn“) wurden auf Basis umfangreicher Analysen der Belastungs- und Ressourcensituation sowie des Unterstützungsbedarfs in den Inklusionsbetrieben verschiedene Seminarkonzepte für die Beschäftigten mit Schwerbehinderungen und deren Leitungskräfte entwickelt [ 8 , 19 ]. Die durchgeführten Maßnahmen wurden in Form eines Mixed-Methods-Studiendesigns evaluiert, bestehend aus Fokusgruppen zur qualitativen Evaluation der Seminare für die Beschäftigten und einer quantitativen Fragebogenerhebung für die Evaluation der Seminare für die Leitungskräfte.…”

“…Auf Basis einer vorherigen Analysephase der Belastungs- und Ressourcensituation von Beschäftigten mit Behinderungen aus Inklusionsbetrieben [ 8 , 19 ] wurden 3 Seminarkonzepte für die Beschäftigten mit Schwerbehinderungen neu entwickelt, welche die folgenden komplementären Themenbereiche abdecken: 1) Selbstfürsorge im Arbeitsalltag , 2) Kommunikation und Konfliktlösung und 3) Gesunde Teamarbeit . Zwei qualifizierte Fachkräfte des externen Projektpartners (Gesundheitswissenschaften und Sozialpädagogik) führten die Seminare im Zeitraum von Juni bis November 2021 durch.…”

“…Eine explorative Interviewstudie von Kordsmeyer et al. [ 19 ] zeigt, dass Leitungskräfte insbesondere die Sinnhaftigkeit ihrer Arbeit ebenso wie die Kombination von beruflichen und pädagogischen Aufgaben als Ressourcen am Arbeitsplatz wahrnehmen. Arbeitsorganisatorische Belastungsfaktoren wie die Vereinbarkeit sozialer und wirtschaftlicher Ziele oder das Abfangen von Arbeitsausfällen erleben sie hingegen als zentrale Belastungen [ 19 ].…”

Supervisors’ provision of physical environment resources to administrative support staff in a public university

“…Such job demands can take a toll on employees physical and mental health resulting in employees not being able to perform the required quality and quantity of work within the set or expected period (Ricciadelli & Carleton 2022). It is for this reason that job resources provision from supportive supervisors is equally important as a coping mechanism for employees if they are to achieve work goals (Kordsmeyer et al, 2022). Roskams andHayes (2020), citing Schaufeli andTaris (2014), clarify the ambiguity between demands and resources by associating demands with negative work characteristics and resources with positive aspects.…”

Job demands and resources related to burn-out symptoms and work engagement in supervisors working with people with severe disabilities in social firms: a cross-sectional study

“…Additionally, supervisors in social firms are provided with several resources according to qualitative exploratory research, such as a high meaning of work, for example, when employees with mental illnesses acquire more stability. 37 Based on the concept from Schnell et al 47 meaning of work can be defined as ‘coherence, direction, significance and belonging in the working life’ (Schnell et al , p4). 47 Summarising meta-analyses outline positive impacts of work meaningfulness on motivation, organisational commitment, work engagement and job satisfaction as well as negative ones on turnover intentions, burn-out, stress and counterproductive behaviours.…”