Workload in the retail sector – from peak workloads to more fluent work
Objectives
The research part of the project has the overall objective of providing an overview of workload and recovery in the retail sector and examining which factors influence peak workloads.
The specific objective of the research is to:
- investigate workload and specifically peak workloads
- investigate recovery during the work shift and leisure time in stressful situations.
The development part of the project aims to promote the identification of such practical measures related to workload and recovery that are suitable for continuous use in daily work.
Objectives of the development part are to identify, together with the participating organizations:
- practical measures for managing daily workload
- practical measures for promoting recovery from work both during work and leisure time
Data and methods
Locations of Osuuskauppa Arina, Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaa, Kymen seudun osuuskauppa, Osuuskauppa PeeÄssä and Pirkanmaan osuuskauppa participate in the study.
Register data provided by the employer on working hours, occupational accidents and near misses will be collected for the participating locations of the ABC, Sale and Prisma chains of stores. Data is also collected by a survey conducted to all of the employees. We will carry out heart rate variability, muscular EMG measurements and interviews for a smaller subset of participants. The development part will include interviews and workshops for supervisors and employees.
Results and impact
We produce reliable data on workload in the retail sector. What is new in this project compared with previous research data, is the ability to combine data of more precise physical workload measurements to detailed day-to-day data about working hours, occupational accidents and near misses.
The research data will also be complemented with information obtained with surveys and interviews regarding the employees’ experiences of peak workloads and situations that are experienced as stressful. The survey will also produce information on employees’ experiences of psychosocial workload, recovery and solutions to enhance recovery.
This provides a comprehensive overview of overall workload and recovery, which provides a solid basis for workplaces to target their measures.
Effectiveness
The participating stores will use the results of the project to develop the support they provide for workload and recovery management. The retail sector constitutes service work, requires social skills and with the extension of opening hours the work is also carried out around the clock. All of this means that investigating stress factors and recovery in the retail sector both benefits the clients and boosts productivity in the sector.
Individual locations will receive feedback on their workload based on the results. Recommendations will also be provided on alternative working hours arrangements, organization of work, provision of social support and guidance at the workplace, taking into consideration the stressfulness of work.
Optimal working hours arrangements and work methods, that take into consideration workload, including peaks, can improve the well-being at work of retail sector employees, reduce the number of sickness absences and occupational accidents as well as improve the productivity of work.
Research group
Annina Ropponen, Research Professor, researcher in charge of project and Project Manager
Senior Specialist Ilkka Asikainen
Specialist Researcher Eija Haukka
Chief Medical Officer Hanna Jantunen
Senior Specialist Maria Hirvonen
Nurse Nina Lapveteläinen
Researcher Joonas Poutanen
Senior Specialist Joonas Poutanen
Researcher Pihla Säynäjäkangas
Partners
Osuuskauppa Arina, Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaa, Kymen seudun osuuskauppa, Osuuskauppa PeeÄssä and Pirkanmaan osuuskauppa
Funded by
The Finnish Work Environment Fund, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Osuuskauppa Arina, Osuuskauppa Hämeenmaa, Kymen seudun osuuskauppa, Osuuskauppa PeeÄssä and Pirkanmaan osuuskauppa
Contact us
Annina Ropponen
