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Contentment Circle

Contentment Circles („Zufriedenheitszirkel”) are moderated discussion rounds in which employees of an organizational unit analyze their work situation with the aim of rethinking and improving working conditions.

Background: In 2017, employees across the university were called upon to participate in the „Satisfaction Survey - Resources and Stresses at Workplaces at TU Dortmund University”. Overall, the survey produced very pleasing and good results. Urgent needs for action could not be found. Nevertheless, in order to improve working conditions on the basis of the findings of this survey, the instrument of contentment circles was introduced.

The circles usually consist of a fixed group of 8-12 employees of a department or a central institution. They then meet at regular intervals (approximately every 4 weeks on a morning, for a total of 3-4 meetings) and reflect on the resources and burdens with regard to work tasks, process organization, leadership behavior, social interaction and many other aspects of the work. Afterwards, the group jointly considers how the positive resources can be preserved or what measures are necessary to reduce the existing stresses. The circle group is led by a moderator. This can be either internal or external.

Managers do not participate in the satisfaction circles. The results of the circles are finally presented to the management of the relevant organizational units.