Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: Exploration and Understanding of Perceptions and Practice of Workplace Job Control, Flexibility and Mental Health in COVID-19

• Author / Creator

  Hunter, Megan K

• Abstract
  Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explore and understand perceptions of workplace flexibility and job control/ autonomy policy in practice as related to mental health and psychological health & safety in the workplace within the context of COVID-19 Pandemic (1-15). This thesis explored: (i) how employees perceive workplace practices related to job control/ autonomy and (ii) better understand the effects of job control/ autonomy and flexibility in the workplace.
  Methods: This qualitative research project was guided by focused ethnography methodology grounded in constructivism and subjectivism theories (16-19). One large Organization in Alberta with psychological health & safety practices and flexible working options was recruited and invited their employees to participate in the study (20). 14 self-selected participants from various job functions and authority, confidentially volunteered to participate in a 60-minute semi-structured interview. Data was co-created through participant interviews using a semi-structured interview guide (21). Analysis was guided by the work of Srivastava and Hopwood, 2009 (22).
  Results: Three main themes, each with three sub-themes, emerged from the data to capture the employee perception of working at PO through the context of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the transition to normalcy post March 2023. The themes and subthemes included 1. Leadership Response, subthemes; Benefits & Mental Health Resources, Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Response Action, Flexible Working Policy. 2. Context, subthemes; Company Culture, The COVID-19 Pandemic, and Personal Context. 3. Equity, Job Role and Function, Workplace Flexibility, and Experience of Job Control/Autonomy.
  Conclusion: Perceptions of workplace job control/autonomy and flexibility are influenced by many factors in the workplace. Participants in this study supported the identification of key actions that either supported or hindered their experience of these factors. Clear communication, modern leadership skill sets, and an ability to balance employee needs, organizational function, and company ideals such as vision, mission, and goals played a crucial role in developing employee perception of job control/autonomy and flexibility. Therefore, impacting productivity, employee satisfaction, and company culture.
  Key words: Psychological Health & Safety, Workplace Mental Health, Job Control, Workplace Flexibility, Post-Pandemic Workplace Mental Health Practices, Workplace Mental Health Promotion

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Psychological Health and Safety
  • Workplace Mental Health
  • Job Control
  • Workplace Flexibility
  • Post-Pandemic Workplace Mental Health Practices
  • Workplace Mental Health Promotion

• Graduation date

  Fall 2024

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-j532-1052

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.