WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT

Clearly, diagnosis is a critical aspect of healthcare. However, the ultimate purpose of a diagnosis is the development and application of a series of treatments or protocols. Isolated recognition of a health issue does little to resolve it.
In this module’s Discussion, you applied the Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory to diagnose potential problems with the civility of your organization. In this Portfolio Assignment, you will continue to analyze the results and apply published research to the development of a proposed treatment for any issues uncovered by the assessment.
To Prepare:
• Review the Resources and examine the Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory, found on page 20 of Clark (2015).
• Review the Work Environment Assessment Template*.
• Reflect on the output of your Discussion post regarding your evaluation of workplace civility and the feedback received from colleagues.
• Select and review one or more of the following articles found in the Resources:
o Clark (2019)
o Hover and Williams (2022)
o Lee and Miller (2022)
o McDermott, Bernard, and Hathaway (2021)
*Template completed in the Week 7 discussion should not be submitted with this assignment.
The Assignment (3-6 pages total):
Part 1: Work Environment Assessment (1-2 pages)
• Review the Work Environment Assessment Template you completed for this Module’s Discussion.
• Describe the results of the Work Environment Assessment you completed at your workplace.
• Identify two things that surprised you about the results and one idea you believed prior to conducting the Assessment that was confirmed.
• Explain what the results of the Assessment suggest about the health and civility of your workplace.
Part 2: Reviewing the Literature (1-2 pages)
• Briefly describe the theory or concept presented in the article(s) you selected.
• Explain how the theory or concept presented in the article(s) relates to the results of your Work Environment Assessment.
• Explain how your organization could apply the theory highlighted in your selected article(s) to improve organizational health and/or create stronger work teams. Be specific and provide examples.

Full Answer Section

    Surprises:
  1. Work-life balance: I was surprised by the lower score in work-life balance, as our organization promotes flexible work arrangements and time off policies. Further discussion revealed concerns about workload and uncompensated overtime in certain departments.
  2. Recognition and appreciation: The score in this area fell slightly short of expectations. While formal recognition programs exist, informal recognition practices seemed inconsistent and possibly biased.
Confirmation: The assessment confirmed my prior belief about our collaborative and respectful work environment. Colleagues acknowledged feeling connected to a shared vision and expressed mutual respect in their interactions. Health and Civility: Overall, the assessment indicates a moderately healthy and civil workplace with strengths in communication, respect, and professionalism. However, addressing work-life balance and enhancing recognition practices will foster a more engaged and thriving work environment. Part 2: Reviewing the Literature Selected Article: Lee and Miller (2022) - "Psychological Safety and Civility in the Workplace" This article focuses on the concept of psychological safety, defined as the belief that one's voice and ideas will be heard, respected, and not held against them. The authors argue that psychological safety is crucial for fostering civility, engagement, and innovation in teams. Relation to Assessment: Our assessment's moderate scores in work-life balance and recognition could impact team members' sense of psychological safety. Concerns about workload and inconsistent recognition might make employees feel hesitant to speak up or share ideas, hindering collaboration and innovation. Application for Improvement:
  1. Work-Life Balance: Implementing workload management strategies like project prioritization and team-based workload balancing can reduce stress and create a more predictable work environment.
  2. Recognition: Expanding recognition programs with peer-to-peer nominations and informal appreciation practices can create a more inclusive and valued work environment.
  3. Psychological Safety Training: Educating managers and employees on the importance of psychological safety and providing training on respectful communication and active listening can encourage open dialogue and collaboration.
Example: Implementing "Kudos Thursdays," where colleagues anonymously recognize each other's contributions, can boost morale and build a culture of appreciation. Conclusion: By applying the concepts from Lee and Miller (2022) and addressing the specific areas identified in our Work Environment Assessment, we can actively foster a workplace characterized by greater psychological safety, civility, and collaboration. This, in turn, will strengthen our work teams, improve individual well-being, and ultimately contribute to the organization's success. Note: This is a sample response based on the information provided. The specific details of your Work Environment Assessment and chosen article may vary. Be sure to adapt and personalize the sections based on your individual analysis and experience.  

Sample Answer

     

Part 1: Work Environment Assessment

Results Overview:

Based on the Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory completed in the Week 7 discussion and subsequent feedback from colleagues, our workplace scored moderately healthy with a total of 78 points. We achieved the highest scores in the areas of shared vision and mission (4.33), communication and problem-solving (4.0), and professionalism and respect (4.0). However, areas for improvement emerged in work-life balance (3.5), recognition and appreciation (3.75), and opportunity for growth and development (3.25).