Initial Development of the Employee Perception of Participatory Ergonomics Questionnaire

In an organizational context, Participatory ergonomics (PE) programs set out to involve employees in ergonomic design and analysis efforts in order to promote a safer, more user-friendly, and productive workplace. While the purpose of a PE program is to involve employees, currently there is no quantitative method to evaluate the effectiveness of PE programs from the employee's perspective. The current study set out to address this void. Based on a review of the recent published literature, five key constructs were identified as critical evaluative components: Employee Knowledge Base, Employee Involvement, Employee Support, Perceptions of Managerial Support, and Employee Stress due to Ergonomic Changes. With the help of an organizational management-labor committee, a content validity approach was used to generate items. The proposed five-dimension measure was administered to 63 participants working in large manufacturing plant with an established PE program. Initial empirical support for the proposed dimensions was found. Potential uses of the developed measure in a larger context are discussed.