[What do we know about psychosocial risks at work? Part II.The analysis of employee's knowledge of sources and consequences of stress at work].
BACKGROUND
Psychosocial risks at work are the challenge facing the occupational health and safety protection. They are seen as a threat to the employees' health and functioning. They also contribute to negative outcomes in the organizations. The study was focused on the assessment of employees' knowledge of occupational stressors, their consequences and preventive measures. The assessment results will help in the development of an educational program aimed at increasing awareness of occupational stress among employees.


METHODS
210 employees participated in the study. By the mean of survey "Psychosocial Risks at Work-place" the information on the respondents' knowledge of occupational stress issues was collected.


RESULTS
Stressors intrinsic to the job (mostly work overload) were recognized as best known to employees (67.62%). The second place was occupied by stressors originating from interpersonal relationships at work (51.9% of respondents pointed out that problem). Almost no one (0.48%) mentioned home-work interference as a source of occupational stress. According to the respondents' opinion, occupational stress mostly results in health decline. The employees who participated in the study believe that the employer (13.81%) or the superior (19.05%) is responsible for psychosocial risks prevention at the work place. Almost a half of subjects (46.67%) did not know whether there are any law regulations on psychosocial risk at work in Poland.


CONCLUSIONS
The respondents showed an average level of knowledge of psychosocial risk at the work place and knew almost nothing about occupational stress prevention. The results of the study point to the need for systematic education of employees about stress and stress related issues.
Potocka
Adrianna
A
Zakład Psychologii Pracy, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Łódź.
Merecz-Kot
Dorota
D
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004651:Employment; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D011044:Poland; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D014942:Workers' Compensation; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration*