Work - Volume 76, issue 2

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-236009

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 415-416, 2023

Authors: Appel-Meulenbroek, Rianne | Voulon, Thijs | Bergefurt, Lisanne | Arkesteijn, Monique | Hoekstra, Bartele | Jongens-Van der Schaaf, Pity

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, office workers were obliged to work from home (WFH). Alongside known positive aspects of home-based telework, it is associated with reduced health and productivity impacts. Its success depends on employee and environmental characteristics. OBJECTIVE: This paper fills the gap in knowledge on the mediating role of health between personal and environmental factors and employee productivity, when obliged to work from home full-time. It covers health in full (physical, mental, and social) unlike other WFH studies. METHODS: Two large survey-based datasets (gathered April 27th - November 20th, 2020) were analysed resp. with …a path model and descriptive analyses. The data provide experiences on health and productivity of resp. 25,058 and 18,859 Dutch office workers from different public organisations, who were obliged to work from home during the COVID-19 lockdowns. RESULTS: In general, the workers in the sample perceived their health to be quite good. Path analysis revealed that gender, age, education, the at-home workspace, the presence of children in the household, and perceived organisational support were significantly related to self-perceived productivity. However, most of these effects were found to be mediated by physical, mental, and/or social health indicators. Possible explanations for health issues from the descriptive analyses were sedentary behaviour, unsuitable furniture, having to be at home, social isolation and changed content and frequency of contact with colleagues. CONCLUSION: Findings imply that specifically engagement and organisational support of teleworkers are most relevant to steer on to ensure productivity while WFH. Show more

Keywords: Teleworking, workplace, employee, statistical model

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220575

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 417-435, 2023

Authors: Lake, Betsy | Maidment, David W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While employers plan how to restructure working practices after the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that the disability community are represented in research addressing remote working (or telework); their expertise is invaluable for ensuring equity from the outset. OBJECTIVE: The current study qualitatively investigated how people with physical disabilities negotiate telework in a post-COVID era. METHODS: Ten participants with a range of physical disabilities were recruited and interviewed. Themes were generated from the data utilising an established method of reflexive inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Increased flexibility as well as …control over work schedules and the environment facilitated by teleworking, improved participants’ disability management, health, work performance, and personal opportunities. However, the importance of choice to work in-office, of implementing additional physical and virtual work adjustments, and of flexible work patterns to remove barriers to accessibility when homeworking was emphasised. Active efforts by employers to create an inclusive and flexible work culture were identified as crucial to ensure that integration and professional development of employees with disabilities, understanding of disability experience, and normalisation of accessibility needs are not diminished by the decreased visibility incurred by teleworking. CONCLUSION: Teleworking is not a panacea for resolving the disability employment disadvantage. Rather, teleworking could be a springboard upon which further flexibility and choice can be built to shift organisational practices to better accommodate individual employees, with and without disabilities, post-COVID. It is imperative to act on such insights to create accessible workplaces to facilitate more inclusive workforces. Show more

Keywords: Assistive technology, COVID-19 pandemic, physically disabled, telework, work-life balance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220622

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 437-451, 2023

Authors: Tuncer, Kevser | Bulut, Irem | Pirincci, Edibe | Ickilli, Nilay

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reliable and culturally informed health communication is vital in developing positive health behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the change in knowledge and attitudes about COVID-19 vaccines by providing training to educators in a province in the east of Turkey. METHODS: A questionnaire developed by the researchers on the basis of the literature was used in this intervention study. It consisted of three parts: socio-demographic information, before education knowledge (BEK) and Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine (BEATV), and after education knowledge (AEK) and Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine (AEATV). There were …99 teachers, 32 public education teachers, and 144 religious officials who participated in the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Pack version 22.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Statistical significance value was accepted as p  < 0.05. RESULTS: Among the participants, the number of correct answers to all questions increased as a result of the study. There was a positive increase in most of the ATV items after the training. CONCLUSION: Education on COVID-19 vaccines increased awareness as shown by the total number of correct answers and the improved attitude of educators. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, vaccine, attitude, behavior

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220111

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 453-459, 2023

Authors: Metin Akten, Ilknur | Yıldırım, Tuğçe Bilge | Dığın, Figen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The high prevalence, severe contagious nature, and associated morbidity and mortality rates of COVID-19 increased the demand for healthcare and social care services worldwide. No doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic affected frontline healthcare employees the most. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the burnout levels of healthcare employees and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was completed with 478 healthcare professionals. The study’s sampling included all healthcare professionals who were actively working in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to participate in the study. …The study data were collected through the internet (online) between 10.05.2021 and 10.08.2021. The Healthcare Staff Information Form and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to collect the study data. RESULTS: Emotional burnout (p  < 0.001) and desensitization (p  = 0.007) scores were higher in those who lived separately from people they normally lived with. Emotional burnout and desensitization scores of the nurses were significantly higher than those of doctors and other healthcare professionals (p  < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that healthcare professionals in Turkey experienced moderate levels of burnout in terms of emotional burnout and desensitization, and high levels of burnout in terms of personal achievement. It is recommended to improve working conditions, monitor employees in high-risk units more closely, and provide psychological support to prevent or reduce the burnout of healthcare employees during the pandemic period. Show more

Keywords: Coronavirus, emotional stress, health workers

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220562

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 461-471, 2023

Authors: Sun, Jianmin | Sarfraz, Muddassar | Ivascu, Larisa | Ozturk, Ilknur

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Over the years, the workplace landscape has significantly evolved, demanding an optimal psychological approach to establish an environment that values individual work and health. A firm’s culture inspires it to adopt business practices that enable its employees to live healthier lives. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to measure the mediating relationship of transparent communication between organizational culture and mental health in the Pakistani healthcare industry. The study also explores the relationship between organizational culture and mental health. METHODS: The study collected primary data via purposive sampling from the healthcare employees of Pakistan between March and May …2022. The study’s sample size consists of 509 respondents from the healthcare industry sector, and the research used Smart PLS software to measure the relationship through bootstrapping and algorithms. RESULTS: Organizational culture has a positive effect on the employee’s mental health. The study has found significant positive mediation of transparent communication and moderation of organizational trust between organizational culture and mental health. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated workers’ mental health, causing considerable changes in the healthcare sector. Positive mental health at work is a critical factor that improves the working environment. As such, this study highlights the importance of mental health in the workplace setting. It extends the literature in the context of the healthcare industry, thus supporting employees’ well-being. The findings suggest a significant relationship between an organization’s culture and mental health. This study suggests the theoretical and practical implications for policymakers’ and researchers’ perspectives concerning employees and organizational culture. Show more

Keywords: Health psychology, organizational trust, psychological well-being, employee performance, coronavirus

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220365

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 473-488, 2023

Authors: Bergefurt, Lisanne | Appel-Meulenbroek, Rianne | Arentze, Theo

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: During the 1990s, voluntary teleworking became more grounded, because of expected advantages as increased productivity and comfort. However, COVID-19 obliged employees to work from home (WFH), even in unsuitable houses, which might have reduced their mental health. A holistic overview of methods and measures of the physical home-workspace characteristics and mental health is currently lacking. Insights in the potential influence of the physical home-workspace on mental health are also not yet holistically examined. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to provide insights in previously studied relationships between the physical home-workspace and mental health and to identify …measures for both using a systematic scoping review. METHODS: This study used the PRISMA method to systematically review existing literature. RESULTS: Most studies focussed on noise, acoustics, and privacy, in relation to productivity, concentration, and sleep quality. Only a few studies used objective measures for physical home-workspace characteristics. CONCLUSION: The list of relevant measures can be used by academics to examine relationships between the home-workspace and mental health further. Workplace managers can use it to help employees in optimizing their home-workspace. Show more

Keywords: Workplace, teleworking, COVID-19 pandemic, psychological phenomena

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220505

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 489-506, 2023

Authors: Cavalcanti, Marília | Lessa, Luciano | Vasconcelos, Bianca M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The construction industry is an important productive sector worldwide. However, the industry is also responsible for high numbers of work-related accidents, which highlights the necessity for improving safety management on construction sites. In parallel, technological applications such as machine learning (ML) are used in many productive sectors, including construction, and have proved significant in process optimizations and decision-making. Thus, advanced studies are required to comprehend the best way of using this technology to enhance construction site safety. OBJECTIVE: This research developed a systematic literature review using ten scientific databases to retrieve relevant publications and fill the knowledge …gaps regarding ML applications in construction accident prevention. METHODS: This study examined 73 scientific articles through bibliometric research and descriptive analysis. RESULTS: The results showed the publications timeline and the most recurrent journals, authors, institutions, and countries-regions. In addition, the review discovered information about the developed models, such as the research goals, the ML methods used, and the data features. The research findings revealed that USA and China are the leading countries regarding publications. Also, Support Vector Machine – SVM was the most used ML method. Furthermore, most models used textual data as a source, generally related to inspection reports and accident narratives. The data approach was usually related to facts before an accident (proactive data). CONCLUSION: The review highlighted improvement proposals for future works and provided insights into the application of ML in construction safety management. Show more

Keywords: Construction industry, machine learning, safety management, algorithms

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220533

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 507-519, 2023

Authors: Metri, Kashinath G. | Raghuram, Nagaratna | Narayan, Meera | Sravan, Karthik | Sekar, Sanjana | Bhargav, Hemant | Babu, Natesh | Mohanty, Sriloy | Revankar, Rishab

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chronic pain conditions such as low back pain, knee pain and cervical pain are highly prevalent among female teachers. Chronic pain significantly affects the mental health, sleep and quality of life among teachers. OBJECTIVE: This study is intended to investigate the impact of a workplace yoga intervention on musculoskeletal pain, anxiety, depression, sleep, and quality of life (QoL) among female teachers who had chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHOD: Fifty female teachers aged between 25–55 years with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomized to either the yoga group (n  = 25) or the control group (n  = 25). The yoga …group received a 60-minute structured Integrated Yoga intervention (IY) four days a week for six consecutive weeks at school. The control group received no intervention. Outcome measures: Pain intensity, anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue, self-compassion, sleep quality, and quality of life were assessed at the baseline and six weeks. RESULTS: A significant (p  < 0.05) reduction in pain intensity and pain disability in the yoga group was observed after 6-week compared to baseline. Anxiety, depression, stress, sleep scores and fatigues also improved in the yoga group after six weeks. The control group showed no change. Post score comparison showed a significant difference between the groups for all the measures. CONCLUSION: Workplace yoga intervention is found to be effective in improving pain, pain disability, mental health, sleep quality among female teachers with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study strongly recommends yoga for the prevention of work-related health issues and for the promotion of wellbeing among teachers. Show more

Keywords: Alternative and complementary medicine, meditation, pranayama, psychology, depression, anxiety, stress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210269

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 521-531, 2023

Authors: Eklund, Mona | Bäckström, Martin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Knowing whether interventions addressing everyday life as a whole can affect work readiness for people with severe mental health issues would be important for how to develop support. Objective: To compare two groups of people with mental health problems, receiving either of two types of 16-week activity-based interventions, Balancing Everyday Life (BEL) or Care as Usual (CAU), regarding work readiness in terms of perceived worker role and satisfaction with recent work experience. Changes from baseline (T1) to completed intervention (T2) and a six-month follow-up (T3) and variables of potential importance to changes were also explored. …Methods: This cluster RCT recruited participants for BEL (n  = 133) and CAU (n  = 93) from specialized and community-based psychiatry. Questionnaires addressing work readiness and potentially influencing variables (sociodemographic, clinical, type of intervention, work experience, non-work activity factors, social interaction and self-esteem) were used. Mixed model regression analyses were employed. Results: Positive changes occurred for both groups in one worker role aspect (resources for a future worker role) and in satisfaction with recent work participation. Satisfaction with non-work everyday activities, having valued activities, and self-esteem were important for change in the work readiness variables, whereas intervention type, age, sex or general activity level were not. Conclusion: Both interventions yielded equally positive work readiness outcomes. Support that emphasizes engagement in satisfying and valued everyday activities and boosts self-esteem would be a potential way to help people with mental health issues develop work readiness in terms of the worker role and satisfaction with work participation. Show more

Keywords: Key words: Activities of daily living, mental illness, occupational therapy, outcomes, satisfaction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220582

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 533-547, 2023