Current Topics in Work and Organizational Psychology: Research and Practice

LDOPB is launching a new seminar format aimed at encouraging professional discussion about current, practically relevant topics in work and organizational psychology, and introducing research and insights gained in Latvian workplaces and organizations as well as elsewhere. Particular emphasis will be placed on bridging research and practice: what we currently know about each topic, what research in Latvia and around the world tells us, and, most importantly, how we can apply these insights in professional practice.

📅 Date: 12 November 2026
🕒 Time: 18:00–20:00
📍 Location: online (Zoom or MS Team)

The event is intended for work and organizational psychologists; human resource management and organizational development professionals; psychology students interested in organizational psychology; and other professionals who work with people, management, and organizational development.

Programme

Neurodiversity in the workplace – how can we support minds that think differently?
Marta Līva Ziņģe, Mg. psych., registered work and organizational psychologist, senior specialist in the State Police psychologists’ group

The increasingly prominent topic of neurodiversity in the workplace raises the question: how can we shape work so that people who think differently can use their strengths and adapt their work environment successfully to their needs? We will look at the relationship between ADHD traits, attitudes toward artificial intelligence, and job crafting strategies, focusing on what can help neurodivergent employees in practice.

A candidate’s weight – a neutral factor or a hidden selection criterion?
Brenda Eglīte, Mg. psych., talent acquisition and recruitment specialist

We would like to think that hiring decisions are determined by experience, knowledge, and competencies. But are they also subtly influenced by a candidate’s weight and similarity to the evaluator? We will consider how weight bias affects candidate evaluations, the results of a study conducted in Latvia, and ways to reduce the risk of biased evaluations in recruitment.

What do an ordinary Tuesday and employee engagement in change have in common?
Laima Dobičinaite, Mg. psych., registered organizational and counselling psychologist, organizational design and change management partner

Changes can be announced in a single day, but employees’ reactions are also shaped by their previous experiences in the organization. Does resistance always mean unwillingness to get involved? Employees may actively engage in change while objecting to some of its aspects. Conversely, a lack of resistance does not necessarily mean engagement in change. The presentation will explore how organizational culture, psychological needs, and management approaches relate to employees’ reactions to change, and what managers and HR professionals can do today to encourage meaningful engagement in future changes.

What helps us work with passion?
Ralfs Vasiļjevs, Bc. psych., master’s student in organizational psychology at the University of Latvia, manufacturing industry professional

Organizations’ time and resources are finite, so it is especially important to know where and how to invest them. We will look at data from a Latvian manufacturing company to show how an adapted Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model helps explain differences in employee engagement within a single company (between administration and production), as well as how engagement relates to employees’ personal resources. We will consider how this kind of study helps us understand what matters most and how to use it as a basis for developing future strategies together with employees.

*A certificate of attendance is available for seminar participants. When registering, select the appropriate payment option (with or without a certificate).

The event may be recorded for LDOPB’s internal use.