Att vara en första linjens chef : En kvalitativ studie om första linjens chefers upplevelse av psykosocial arbetsmiljö

Sammanfattning: The role as a first-line manager is challenging due to demands and expectations from two directions that call for their attention. A functioning psychosocial work environment is of importance for a functioning working life, not least for the first-line managers to fulfill their tasks. Previous research has shown that a functional and promoting psychosocial work environment prevents mental illness. The purpose of this study was to describe what the role of the first-line managers in the private sector entails; how the psychosocial work environment is experienced and what demands and challenges, and what resources they experience. The raw-data was collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews and the data material was analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. The result showed that predominantly first-line managers perceived themselves to be happy in their role and their health to be good, but there are also indications that the psychosocial work environment should be given attention. The result also showed that in the role the first line managers greatest demands comes from high stress and time pressure, but also that they have a lack of resources as the main manifestation of a lack of support from senior managers and HR. Their main resources were collected from being supported by the colleagues and co-workers. The focus in the future should concentrate on the organization, where supportive leadership is paramount to the health of first-line managers.