HEALTH EMPLOYEES’ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Employees require an appropriate working environment that helps them work without problems limiting their performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the perspectives of the employees at the Ministry of Health in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region regarding their work environment and satisfaction with the various aspects of work. METHODS: This self-administered questionnaire survey involved 109 employees from the Ministry of Health in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. A questionnaire containing different questions about the work environment and work satisfaction was used to assess employees' perspectives about their working environment. RESULTS: The participants thought that the sense of preserving public money and materials and feeling responsible among employees is low. The employees were not much satisfied with the relations between managers and employees. Most participants thought that improving the financial situation would affect the employees' capacity (96.3%) and that implementing modern systems, equipment, and programs would improve protection (84.4%). Most participants were satisfied with their workplace (71.6%) and thought their education was relevant to their work (73.4%). They emphasized the importance of making employees feel responsible, providing training courses, and improving the services and work facilities to improve the working conditions. CONCLUSION: Low work awareness and commitment exist among employees. The working environment was an important factor in the job satisfaction of employees.