Given changing legislation and increasing awareness of the impacts of work stress, a key focus for many researchers and practitioner in the areas of human factors, health and safety, and human resources, is the mitigation or reduction of psychosocial risks. However, a singular focus on minimising psychosocial risks in the workplace can result in missed opportunities to consider how certain aspects of work may also have protective or buffering effects on individuals (i.e., promoting motivation and wellbeing when retained or increased). Work design theory provides a useful lens and approach to consider how an individual’s work consists of factors that can have both depleting and protecting effects, which can in turn lead to a range of positive and negative employee outcomes. This presentation will present a case study using contemporary work design theories and frameworks to holistically and systematically unpack the work-related factors that contribute to employee strain and well-being. A replicable methodology will be shared, and practical implications for developing psychosocial risk interventions and work re-design strategies discussed. This presentation may be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in the area of human factors, health and safety, and wellbeing.

At the conclusion of the event, attendees will:
- Gain an understanding of contemporary theories and frameworks of work design that can be applied in a practical workplace setting.
- Gain knowledge of how to measure a comprehensive set of work design factors and key outcomes relevant to a workforce.
- Be able to evaluate the current state of work design for a workforce. This includes forming an understanding of the relative protective and depleting work design factors which can inform future interventions and work-redesign strategies.

Cham, Belinda S; Boeing, Alexandra A; Jorritsma, Karina