New requirements for the psychosocial work environment: Why dialogue matters more than ever
Eirin Eriksen Horvei
October 14, 2026
You feel that things are pretty good, since the worst of the Christmas stress is still at arm's length for now. It is surprisingly OK to get up in the morning, and you stroll, trudge, cycle, take the bus or the train, or drive to work. Once you are inside the door, someone has already put the coffee on, and you take a contented breath as you make your way over to your PC, lift the lid and think: am I actually missing anything?
Not necessarily. But there will always be some who lack something and others who have what they need. In working life too. How do you want your employees to feel? And how do you want things to be as an employee? For my own part, I like to know what I am expected to contribute in a busy working day.
That doesn't mean I have to sit with endless lists and tick something off every time a task is done. But I like being able to use my own competence while feeling that what I do is valuable to the company. For me, that is one of the things that makes me happy at work, even though there are periods when it is busier than busy and I wonder how on earth I will manage to get everything done. Setting aside time for a good dialogue, one that goes beyond the daily coffee chat, can make a big difference. A conversation like that gives me the opportunity to map out what matters to me in my work situation and how I am doing at work. I feel seen and recognised.
Have a wonderful run-up to Christmas!
