05.06.2013 Views

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

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.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!