Symposium: "How much work do people need?"

It was a very interesting and exciting day, also - or perhaps precisely - because it turned out differently than planned. Guests from business, public administration, interested citizens and students from various fields of study came together to discuss the topic of "Work". The opening lecture by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Matthias Schmidt: "Why do we have to want to work?" provided an exciting introduction to the topic. The Allensbach occupational prestige scale showed the listener the doctor in the irrefutable first place and the pastor with a clear loss of prestige over the last decades. Today, work is more than just earning a living. "Tell me what your job is and I'll know who you are" - the number one topic of conversation on dating sites. In addition to the moral dimension of "work", the anthropological perspective was also highlighted: the northern and southern hemispheres have probably had a lasting impact on the work mentality due to different environmental influences - even today. Other aspects such as the marketing of emotional work, work-life (im)balance and the very similar health consequences of gainful employment compared to unemployment were addressed - work; a broad field. So is work more than just earning a living? With communication psychologist Benjamin Zips and the question of the "meaninglessness of work and work on meaninglessness", a communication-psychological aspect of the world of work was addressed. A split between internal and external communication, which, as a result of the modern openness to innovation, logically occurs among employees, but also among superiors as a form of adaptation to the demands of the working world. As long as everyone nods to the boss, shakes their heads inwardly and the work is done for all sides, this is not a problem. However, if sickness rates rise, nobody feels responsible and saying yes is only said and no longer done, then it becomes a big problem - primarily for companies. And then Benjamin Zips comes to the companies, listens carefully to all sides, asks the right questions, asks for goals and in a structured dialog everything becomes good again. That's what you want for every company, even before the workforce has given notice. Wow. Discussion. Can employees bring such a consultant into the company? Should top management impose the next change management project on demoralized employees? Exciting. The dialog is open and the audience fills the topics with life.

After the short lunch break, the subsequent presentation by qualified communication and process psychologist Jörg Heidig: "Is it still going..." is a perfect fit. Diagnosis as a self-fulfilling prophecy, burnout as a title of nobility for self-sacrificing employees - only those who burn for one thing can burn. Or too stupid for the work-life balance? But not the perfect employee, because as such you have to pay attention to your own mental hygiene these days. And who is most likely to burn out? Home managers. Teachers. The social professions. The professions that can't turn off the PC and continue discussing Peter's aggressive outburst with Marcel tomorrow; Mr. Müller also has to have his dinner and be washed tonight, not tomorrow morning. Social professions that work with people find it difficult to separate themselves from their work because it doesn't just stop when you're done for the day - with your nerves. The discussion picks up again with new food. During the breaks, there are small groups who continue the discussion with coffee in one hand and sandwiches in the other. Psychologist Dr. Sandra Wolf from Innsicht in Dresden does the honours: "How much work is actually healthy?" Workload as a measurable variable using PREVA methods, observations, questionnaires and workshops. Exciting. Straight from the field. Interaction with the audience: Dr. Wolf draws a smiley face on a green card and hands it to a participant. The psychologist's favorite question follows: "So, how are you doing with that now?". It's nice to get a smile. Absolutely! Not just the one on paper from Ms. Wolf, but she smiles throughout the lecture. Smile and the world is yours. Workload is a very subjective thing, just like the two little men standing by the loaded trolley. The little one, who sweats and groans and can barely lift the trolley; and the big one, who can easily smoke a cigarette on the side. It's nice when the visible physical strain is so good to recognize - but what about the hidden mental strain? And do we only recognize it when we have reached its limit or even when we have exceeded it? Dr. Wolf says that there are no objective stress limits other than those of occupational health and safety. But these relate to physical stress, not mental stress. The pragmatic and technocratic view of economic growth over the last hundred years was presented by Dipl.-Ing. Markus Will from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences: "A chrono-economic derivation of sufficiency". Here, the topic, which had become emotionally charged in the discussion, was recaptured and objectified. The discussion is now more abstract again, but just as lively. The dates for the workshops have long been discussed, but the joy and interest can be seen and heard in all those present. 4 p.m.! Wow, what a day! The audience applauds, gives appreciative feedback and looks forward to the next symposium. Yes, the workshop was cancelled, but we didn't miss anything. The day had a dynamic flow - nothing was missing. Nonetheless: you can take the workshop with you next time. A reason to come back. Because it continues. Already on 10.07.2015 at the Dresden International University. A series of lectures that will remain a special highlight in the memory of all participants on this Saturday, with many different aspects of a topic, a very varied pulse of the times, relaxed theory, lively practice and committed speakers and organizers. And the series means that there is more to come. It will certainly be worth it again.

Text: Communication psychologist Silke Daufratshofer