Psychosocial work environment risks for museum workers in Latvia
¹University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Human Factors and Work Environment, Jelgavas street 1, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
²University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Management Science, Aspazijas blvd. 5, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: henrijs.kalkis@lu.lv
Abstract:
In Latvia, as elsewhere in the world, psychosocial risks at work are considered to be a topical occupational risk in every sector of the economy, including the cultural sector. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychosocial risks of the working environment for museum workers in Latvia. The study involved 303 respondents from different museums in Latvia. A staff survey was conducted, and psychosocial risks at work were assessed using the short version of The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire – COPSOQ III. The survey found that 73–77% of museum employees are women, with about a quarter of respondents reporting working more than 40 hours per week. Work is often performed in a forced posture, 28.1% of respondents complain of overwork, 70.3% of respondents report an unsuitable working environment, almost half of respondents indicate that they are exposed to harmful chemicals at work, and almost all employees report low pay. The results of the COPSOQ survey show that the main reasons why the majority of respondents have chosen to work in the existing museum are: the support of colleagues, a good atmosphere, the opportunity to use knowledge and skills, as well as the meaning of work. Future research will focus on using cognitive tests to better understand the psychosocial risks faced by museum workers.
Key words:
COPSOQ, museums, psychosocial risks, work environment.