Almost one in three employees in Norway say they have undergone major changes at work in the last three years. Change is often positive, but restructuring can also create uncertainty beyond health and productivity.
Change can take many forms. It could be organizational changes to increase productivity, new technology requiring new skills, or digitalization forcing different ways of working. For many people, adaptation is a natural part of working life, and changes occur relatively often.
Regardless of why you are restructuring, it is important to know that both major and minor restructuring can have an impact on employee health, work engagement and productivity, says Gunnar Markus Misje, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate.
In June, the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate organizes seminars on restructuring in Bodø , Drammen , Harstad , Moss i Stjordal .
Correction for better or worse
Restructuring can have several positive effects. This can lead to new opportunities for learning and personal development, new and more interesting tasks. It can also lead to greater responsibility and independence, experience better flow in daily work, better organization and greater commitment to work.
Adjustment can also have negative effects. Research by the Norwegian Institute for the Working Environment (STAMI) shows that reorganization can often lead to increased workload, less predictability, reduced self-determination and increased job insecurity.
"If workers meet these demands at work over time, while at the same time feeling they have little control over the workload and pace, it could have negative health effects in the long run," says Misje.
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Three smart moves
There are several things you can do to counteract the negative effects that change can have, and in particular three key points you can take with you.
- Good information
- Opportunity to participate
- Supportive management
– Employees' need for information increases dramatically during restructuring. This can be a good strategy to facilitate the exchange of information. The news that there is no new information since last time is also information that can seem reassuring, explains the Missions.
“Make sure everyone affected by the changes has an opportunity to voice their views and suggestions,” continues Gunnar Markus Misje.
In addition to information and opportunities to participate both before and during restructuring, it is important that employees feel they have support from their supervisor and colleagues. Social support is where the employee experiences co-workers and managers who listen, support and help with work tasks if needed.
– Social support is largely about sharing information and offering practical help or emotional support. This is important both for the safety experienced by the employee. This can protect against health problems, but it can also have an impact on the employee's professional development, says Misje.
Research conducted by STAMI using data from several Norwegian companies shows that employees who have experienced management as supportive and inclusive, or who have experienced that they are given sufficient information and participation, show lower degrees of insecurity and greater job satisfaction.
Register for the seminar
Sign up for the seminar and get more information on how restructuring as a work environment factor affects employee health, work engagement and productivity.
Bodø seminar: Smart moves in restructuring. 1st of June
Drammen Seminar: Smart Moves in Restructuring. June 2
Harstad seminar: Smart moves in restructuring. June 6
Moss Seminar: Smart Moves in Restructuring. June 8
Stjørdal seminar: Smart moves in restructuring. June 15
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Source: Norwegian Labor Inspectorate
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