How are you, public service interpreter?

The occupational well-being of public service interpreters in Finland

Författare

• Lena Segler-Heikkilä Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61200/mikael.163841

Nyckelord:

public service interpreter, work-place well-being, well-being, interpretation, interpreting

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the factors that, according to spoken language public service interpreters working in Finland, positively or negatively affect their wellbeing at work. The theoretical framework combines theories of workplace well-being. Data were collected through a survey featuring both open and close-ended questions conducted from November 2023 to August 2024 with 90 respondents. The findings indicate that public service interpreters consider the most important factors promoting work well-being to be the appreciation of their work, as well as receiving thanks and praise, the feeling of the work's significance and necessity, and the sense of achievement from doing a job well. Factors negatively affecting work well-being include income-related problems and fears, issues related to technology and technical problems, as well as problems related to schedules and bookings. The results indicate that the needs for self-actualization and esteem are fulfilled, whereas the need for psychological and physical safety is not.

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