The Aspects of Psychosocial Risks Prevention in a Developing Country: Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of the study were determining the main psychosocial risks and identifying the role of workers' representatives/unions, managers, and occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals to improve workers' participation in the psychosocial risk prevention. Methods: This is a qualitative research. Three volunteering companies, those agreed to participate, were selected in Turkey. Interviews were conducted with workers' /union reps and managers in each company, separately. The data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews between 14th April-2nd May 2014. A total of 13 managers and 19 workers were interviewed in 3 workplaces. Interviews were carried out with tape-recording accompanied by note-taking. The content analysis method was evaluated by two researchers. Results: There is no policy or legislation about psychosocial risk evaluation and prevention in Turkey. Employers and employees were not aware of psychosocial risks. Job insecurity, high workload, low job control and the identification of economic problems are the priority problems to be assessed in this process. While the main barriers for the participative psychosocial risk prevention process were lack of laws and regulations, communication gaps, financial requirements, pressure associated with production and quotas, excessive monitoring of workers' performance; the main drivers were management's supportive approach, justice, role clarity, and rewards. Conclusion: Psychosocial risks must be assessed in all workplaces to change working conditions and the legal regulations should be done clearly on psychosocial risk prevention. The cooperation should be achieved with the union and workers' representatives, and their support and experiences should be utilized.