Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
Working Life Barometer in the Baltic Countries 2002 (pdf) - mol.fi
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221<br />
This chapter will <strong>fi</strong>rst discuss work<strong>in</strong>g people's assessments of trends <strong>in</strong> several<br />
dimensions of work<strong>in</strong>g life <strong>in</strong> January-February <strong>2002</strong>. The workers are<br />
aware of <strong>the</strong>ir work<strong>in</strong>g conditions through <strong>the</strong>ir own experiences, and changes<br />
<strong>in</strong> particular are noticed very easily. Is <strong>the</strong> direction of change good or bad, or<br />
is <strong>the</strong> situation stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> same as before? Subjective estimates of <strong>the</strong> trends<br />
have proved especially sensitive 'barometers' for forecast<strong>in</strong>g changes imm<strong>in</strong>ent<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> near future. The directions of change were also evaluated <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
barometer study of three years ago, and so now <strong>the</strong> situations prevail<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong><br />
different times can be compared.<br />
In addition to current changes, <strong>the</strong> Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians have<br />
assessed how <strong>the</strong> economic situation at <strong>the</strong>ir own workplace, as well as <strong>the</strong><br />
employment situation <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole country, will develop dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> next 12<br />
months. These expectations can be compared with those of three years ago,<br />
and <strong>the</strong>n it will be possible to compare whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> atmosphere at <strong>the</strong> workplaces<br />
has changed and <strong>in</strong> what direction.<br />
IN WHAT DIRECTION IS WORKING LIFE<br />
CHANGING?<br />
It is very usual to discuss changes <strong>in</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g life. One often hears op<strong>in</strong>ions<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g expressed on how work<strong>in</strong>g is becom<strong>in</strong>g more - or less - mean<strong>in</strong>gful than<br />
before. Various viewpo<strong>in</strong>ts are put forward about ease of obta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
at <strong>the</strong> workplaces. It is asked: what has happened to empowerment? The<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g chapter presents evaluations of <strong>the</strong> trends <strong>in</strong> altoge<strong>the</strong>r seven aspects<br />
connected with everyday life at <strong>the</strong> workplace at <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terview.<br />
Th<strong>in</strong>gs can be chang<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> better or for <strong>the</strong> worse. The third possible alternative<br />
– that th<strong>in</strong>gs have stayed <strong>the</strong> same as before – has been left out of <strong>the</strong><br />
graphs below, because <strong>the</strong>y show <strong>the</strong> so-called balance values. These have<br />
been obta<strong>in</strong>ed by tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> percentage who assess <strong>the</strong> trend as be<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong><br />
better, and subtract<strong>in</strong>g from it <strong>the</strong> percentage who hold <strong>the</strong> opposite view. If<br />
everyone were of <strong>the</strong> op<strong>in</strong>ion that <strong>the</strong> changes were go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a better direction<br />
than earlier, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> balance value would be +100. If all assessed <strong>the</strong> trend as<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> worse, <strong>the</strong> balance value would be –100.