Your views will help shape the way we engage with each other in the workplace. This short survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and your responses will play an important part in understanding the stresses on our profession.

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (2018), we advise that all data collected through this survey will be stored and used by the British Archaeological Jobs & Resources  (in relation to this project only), and that the presentation of all information shall be anonymised. The information will be used and presented in such a way that no identifiable data will be possible to extrapolate from the completed survey presentation.  In addition, no identifiable data, including IP addresses will be shared with any third party. 

What it is

This is an investigation into how archaeology/heritage staff at different levels are treated by their immediate supervisors, particularly within commercial settings. It will also look at how supervisors are supported to handle work under stress.

Why it’s being done

Anecdotal evidence talks about trickle down stress, passing down the line to field staff and junior office staff.  For example, the idea that Supervisors bully field staff to finish an area and cut corners, and project officers push supervisors with unreasonable time constraints, that themselves have been handed down from managers, that are under pressure themselves from clients.   Anecdotes can either become accepted as fact or challenged because it is merely hearsay, and so, we have a possibility to gather empirical data to fully understand the size of the issue.   If a pattern emerges, then we can easier respond to support all those who are impacted. 

How it’s being done

The survey in the link asks several questions about the types of experience you may have had, and how often, and also how you feel about your organisation’s approaches and priorities. These answers will be collated to gather the range of experiences, the frequency or quality of behaviours and to examine any patterns within the survey data.   All data is anonymised and not used outwith the study.    

What’s going to be produced

Firstly, the results will give a real, quantified picture of these specific experiences of workers in the heritage sector, which is currently lacking. The data will be analysed for correlations with other variables like gender and role. It will then be able to shed light on whether experiences are found at multiple levels of career progression. Being able to answer questions such as if  supervisors shelter staff from stress situations, or pass it down?  Do companies put pressure on staff to appease clients?   And how large (or small) the anecdotal evidence for top down stress really is.

What will come of it

The results will be written up as a short report, together with considerations for how any systemic issues in workplace behaviour can be addressed – what staff can do to protect themselves, and what companies can do to promote good practices.  We may look at a guide that contains resources and support to alleviate situations that can develop in commercial archaeological environments – looking at both personal and corporate solutions.  

If you feel impacted by these issues, then the following resources may help

BAJR RESPECT Guide: Acting against Harassment

Work-related stress – NHS   ( this is a really good resource to start from )

Work and stress | How to be mentally healthy at work | Mind

Stress Management in the Workplace | Free Online Course | Alison  (Free CPD course but requires sign in )

Header Image: Original Image: Wessex Archaeology
no connection to subject matter is implied
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