The Goldilocks Work paradigm offers a framework for (re)designing work that seeks to balance the exposures workers experience during productive work to ultimately promote good worker health.  The paradigm focuses on three key concepts: (1) a ‘just right’ balance of exposures, (2) a positive impact on health, and (3) productive work [1,2]. Initially, consideration of 'exposure' focused on physical work exposures, however, as the paradigm evolved, consideration of ‘exposure’ expanded to also include psychosocial work exposures. 

In comparison to other work organisation systems, the Goldilocks Work paradigm:

• Aims to (re)design jobs to have a ‘just right’ exposure profile of physical and psychosocial work factors, rather than aiming for zero exposures

• Aims to have a positive impact on health, rather than mainly focusing on reducing risk and removing negative impacts

• Aims to create work systems that lead workers into ‘just right’ behaviours, rather than relying mainly on individual motivation and resources

• Aims to (re)design productive work to contribute to socially and economically sustainable production, rather than taking time away from production

Since the publication of the initial Goldilocks Work paradigm articles [1,2], researchers across the Nordics and Australia have met regularly at digital meetings to discuss the paradigm and support ongoing Goldilocks Work inspired studies. The Goldilocks Work international Group has now expanded to include researchers from the EU and Great Britain and studies have occurred or are on-going in healthcare, home care, manufacturing, rail, childcare, laundry and clothing rental (for example: [3–9]). As studies have been conducted, reflection and discussion between researchers and with stakeholders and participating company representatives has helped to identify concepts in the initial paradigm which required refinement to improve and forge the way for the Goldilocks Work paradigm.

This symposium will present the Goldilocks Work paradigm from past to present to future, give an example of a Goldilocks Work intervention study, and present new developments and ongoing projects showing the growth of the Goldilocks Work community and paradigm. The Goldilocks Work International Group will be introduced as a concrete platform for encouraging future Goldilocks Work studies and collaboration. The symposium will end with a panel discussion on challenges and applications of the Goldilocks Work paradigm followed by an open question period.  The five comprising papers to be included in the symposium are: 

1.        Goldilocks Work – a maturing paradigm to enhance worker health (Andreas Holtermann and Svend Erik Mathiassen) 

2.         Evaluating the effectiveness of job rotation intervention inspired by Goldilocks Work on improving muscle activity variability and health: a case study in a commercial laundromat.  (Jennie Jackson) 

3.         Hand-in-hand: a work environment intervention for improved health in early child education and care – a study procol. (Suzanne Merkus) 

4.         Developing a Goldilocks Work Intervention in Home Health Care organized in a self-governing structure (Kathrine Greby Schmidt) 

5.    Developing a Goldilocks Work dialogue tool to map and design ‘Just Right’ work environment for better health (Trine Fuhr Nielsen)