Why Standardized Methods are Important
Assessing psychological stress in the workplace requires scientifically validated methods. Only then can you:
- Achieve objective and comparable results
- Measure changes over time
- Ensure legally compliant documentation
- Benchmark against other companies
The Joint German Occupational Safety and Health Strategy (GDA) explicitly recommends using recognized methods for psychological risk assessment.
Method 1: COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire)
The COPSOQ is one of the most widely used questionnaires worldwide for assessing psychosocial factors in the workplace.
Structure and Versions
- Short version: Approx. 40 questions, ideal for screening
- Medium version: Approx. 87 questions, standard for risk assessment
- Long version: Over 140 questions, for scientific studies
Dimensions Covered
The COPSOQ assesses, among others:
- Demands (quantitative, emotional, cognitive)
- Influence and development opportunities
- Social relationships and leadership
- Job insecurity
- Health and well-being
Advantages of COPSOQ
- Scientifically validated and internationally recognized
- Extensive benchmark database available
- Free to use (Open Source)
- Fully integrated in SafeMind
Method 2: KFZA (Short Questionnaire for Work Analysis)
The KFZA is a compact questionnaire developed specifically for workplace practice.
Structure
With only 26 questions, the KFZA captures the most important stress factors in a short time. It is particularly suitable for:
- Quick initial assessments
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Regular brief surveys
Areas Covered
- Scope for action
- Variety
- Completeness
- Social support
- Cooperation
- Qualitative workload
- Quantitative workload
- Work interruptions
- Environmental stressors
- Information and participation
- Company benefits
Method 3: WAI (Work Ability Index)
The Work Ability Index measures employees' subjectively perceived work ability.
Special Feature
Unlike COPSOQ and KFZA, the WAI doesn't focus on individual stress factors but on the resulting work ability. It evaluates:
- Current work ability compared to best ever achieved
- Work ability in relation to job demands
- Number of current illnesses
- Estimated impairment of work performance
- Sick leave in the past year
- Own prognosis of work ability
- Mental performance reserves
Application Area
The WAI is particularly suitable for:
- Workplace health management
- Age-appropriate work design
- Long-term studies on work ability
Method 4: Guided Interviews
This method involves conducting structured individual conversations with employees.
Implementation
A trained interviewer conducts conversations based on a prepared guide. Typical topics:
- Work tasks and requirements
- Work equipment and environment
- Work organization and working hours
- Social relationships
- Stressors and resources
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- In-depth qualitative information
- Individual follow-up questions possible
- High acceptance among employees
Disadvantages:
- High time and resource investment
- No anonymity possible
- Difficult to quantify results
- Requires trained interviewers
Method 5: Facilitated Workshops (Analysis Workshops)
This method involves conducting group workshops with employees.
Process
Typically 6-12 employees from similar activity areas participate. The workshop includes:
- Introduction and goal explanation
- Collection of stress factors (e.g., using card queries)
- Evaluation and prioritization
- Development of measure proposals
- Documentation of results
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Direct involvement of employees
- Team-based measure development
- High acceptance of results
- Quick identification of action areas
Disadvantages:
- Group dynamics can influence results
- No anonymity
- Requires experienced facilitation
- Difficult for sensitive topics
Method Comparison: Which Method for Which Purpose?
| Criterion | Questionnaire | Interview | Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anonymity | High | None | None |
| Time required | Low | High | Medium |
| Cost | Low | High | Medium |
| Quantifiability | High | Low | Medium |
| Depth | Medium | High | Medium |
| Comparability | High | Low | Low |
Our Recommendation
For most companies, we recommend a combination of standardized questionnaire and supplementary workshops:
- Questionnaire for broad, anonymous assessment
- Workshops for deeper exploration of critical areas and measure development
SafeMind combines the scientifically validated COPSOQ questionnaire with automatic evaluation, giving you the best tool for a legally compliant and efficient psychological risk assessment.
