Work-related stress

Long-term stress can cause a number of health problems that can lead to reduced productivity and even to work incapacity. Mental health issues and their treatment, unlike a common cold, can last for months or even years. Mental health issues are the fastest-growing reason for granting disability pensions. Specific risks arising from these issues for employers include absenteeism, presenteeism, long-term incapacity for work, disruption of workplace relationships, increased accident rates, error rates, and sometimes even the loss of a qualified employee, which is, among other things, generally very costly for companies.
Škoda Auto recognizes the need to deal with this topic intensively internally and at the same time to publicly spread awareness, share its know-how, and the gained experiences. Active involvement in destigmatization and open communication about mental health is a part of the company's strategy to prevent issues associated with long-term stress.

A common part of work-related stress is physical stress arising from various causes. This may involve stress caused by excessive physical exertion, repetitive strain on small hand muscles, or even from maintaining a static position during work activities. All of these causes can lead to a range of health risks. It is the employer's legal obligation to identify these risks, determine their levels according to hygiene limits, and aim to reduce them, ideally eliminating them.
The Department of Ergonomics and Work Physiology at Škoda Auto methodically and professionally ensures the management of physical strain risks. It is not only a solution to the issue of physical strain on assembly lines and similar operations, but also about eliminating physical strain in already mentioned static positions, such as prolonged sitting in offices. Since 2012, Škoda Auto has had its own authorized laboratory that provides physical load measurements for categorization based on legislative requirements. Experience from plant operations give the laboratory the ability to assess and identify risks of physical strain already in the development phase of the car, thereby significantly influencing early-stage preventive ergonomics. A great benefit of the laboratory's presence at Škoda Auto plants is the ability to respond to major changes or health problems in production, measure the condition and propose follow-up measures. The initiative of experts in the Department of Ergonomics and Work Physiology often involves a hidden amount of work and effort to relieve workers, around whom this process often goes completely unnoticed.