Evaluation Quick Check (EQC)
Measurement object / dimensions
The Evaluation Quick Check (EQC) is a procedure for screening working conditions. Mental stress is the sum of all external influences that affect people psychologically (stress-strain concept, Rohmert, 1984). The EQC provides a vivid overview of these influences in a company or a defined work area. It is suitable for carrying out a complete survey in this company/work area in the shortest possible time. All employees should be given the opportunity to take part in the survey and participation should be voluntary. The time required for each employee is approx. 10 minutes. A survey period of two to three weeks is recommended.
The questionnaire provides an overview of the distribution of mental stress and resources at the workplace in the predefined areas:
- Working environment
- Task requirements and activities
- Organizational climate
- Work processes and work organization.
Brief description of the procedure
Authors
Andreas Kremla & Elisabeth Staudinger
Area(s) of application
In Austria, the analysis of mental stress is part of the legally prescribed workplace evaluation (ASchG §4,5), analogous to the risk assessment in Germany (ArbSchG §5ff).
The analysis with EQC serves to build up a solid database for projects to evaluate mental stress (AT) or risk assessment of mental stress (D). It reliably reveals how psychological work factors influence the situation of employees. On this basis, a decision can be made as to whether further analyses are necessary and whether there is a need for optimization.
According to ASchG §4.5 and ArbSchG §5ff, the effectiveness of the defined measures must be checked and adjusted if necessary. A repeat survey using EQC allows an evaluation of the measures taken to be carried out.
Our services are aimed at both company and inter-company stakeholders, such as occupational psychologists, occupational physicians and industrial engineers.
EQC can be used across all industries and for all activity classes. Precision level 2: for overview purposes (in accordance with ÖNORM/DIN/SN EN ISO 10075-3)
Execution
The EQC comprises 31 items, each with a 6-level response format ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree". Can be carried out with tablet/iPad and smartphone/iPhone. The automated results feedback provides results graphics (PDF), raw data and statistical key figures (CSV)
Execution time
Approx. 10 minutes
Reliability
Both reliability calculations meet the requirements of a good questionnaire (Lienert & Raatz, 1995):
Cronbach Alpha (N=895)
- Working environment: .75
- Work requirements / work tasks: .83
- Work organization: .80
- Social and organizational climate: .85
Re-test reliability (after 3 months, N=97):
- Working environment: .50
- Work requirements / work tasks: .58
- Work organization: .59
- Social and organizational climate: .61
Validity
The factor analysis also impressively confirms the factor structure of the EQC. The 4 factors explain over 70% of the total variance (N=887), which is a very good result (Lienert & Raatz, 1995). The construct validity is therefore given.
The explained total variance between EQC results and work groups (departments, company locations, project groups) diagnosed in the interview/workshop as suffering from psychological stress at work is 73%, after cross-validation 72% (discriminant analysis, N=144). This means that approximately ¾ of people can be correctly classified on the basis of the four EQC scales (criterion-oriented validity).
Execution methods
Possible on PCs/laptops/touchpads without restriction. On mobile phones only to a limited extent, as input with a finger is somewhat cumbersome (but possible in principle).
Languages
German, English
Security and data protection
The IR&C system meets the latest IT requirements ("banking standard"). As an additional security measure, personal codes can also be assigned instead of the specific names of the persons tested. Customers only need to provide sufficient PCs/laptops/touchpads with or without an Internet connection (on/off-line capable, also intranet-capable).