Zitatform

Fana, Marta, Fernanda Bárcia De Mattos, Valeria Esquivel, Guendalina Anzolin, David Kucera & Sheeba Tejani (2024): The effects of automation in the apparel and automotive sectors and their gender dimensions. (JRC science for policy report 136639), Brüssel, 66 S.

Abstract

"This report is the final output of a research project investigating the effects of automation on employment in the automotive, apparel and footwear industries in five countries, namely Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Romania, and Spain. The main objective of this project has been to improve our understanding of how ongoing processes of technological upgrading, particularly automation, impact women's and men's employment and work in these industries. Our findings suggest that, in the short term, close to the introduction of new automation technology, the impact on employment takes the form of reassignment of workers directly involved in automated processes to other positions, tasks, and occupations. This study also explored the impact of automation in terms of work organization and working conditions. Across the case studies, it emerged that the adoption of automation technologies has reduced heavy and repetitive tasks and improved health and safety for workers directly concerned by automation. Another interesting and related common finding is the reduction of workers' autonomy who are now subject to more standardization of tasks together with an ongoing process of deskilling of operators. Finally, in the apparel and footwear sector, we did not find evidence of defeminisation at the establishment level as well as the automotive factories remains highly male-dominated. Cultural norms and stereotypes which influence not only the jobs women and men apply to and get hired for, but also which training and education they engage in, contribute to this gender segregation in both sectors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Hilgert, Jeffrey (2024): Safety and health at work as fundamental rights: A comparative-historical study of the ILO's strategy of realistic vigilance. In: International Labour Review, Jg. 163, H. 1, S. 95-115. DOI:10.1111/ilr.12401

Abstract

"This article is a comparative-historical study of ILO action on safety and health as fundamental rights. In the two decades after the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the ILO used a realist lens and prioritized the idea that safety and health were dependent upon economic preconditions for their protection. Given the new complex of global health uncertainty and the addition of safety and health to the framework of fundamental principles and rights at work, this history is revisited. Implications are discussed for the ILO supervision of coherence in national occupational safety and health policy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Irvine, Annie & Nikolas Rose (2024): How Does Precarious Employment Affect Mental Health? A Scoping Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence from Western Economies. In: Work, Employment and Society, Jg. 38, H. 2, S. 418-441. DOI:10.1177/09500170221128698

Abstract

"This article offers a scoping review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research on the relationship between precarious employment and mental health. Systematic searches of primary qualitative research in western economies, focused on insecure contracts and a broad conceptualisation of mental health, identified 32 studies. Thematic synthesis revealed four core experiences of precarious employment: financial instability, temporal uncertainty, marginal status and employment insecurity, each connected with multiple, interrelated experiences/responses at four thematic levels: economic, socio-relational, behavioural and physical, leading to negative mental health effects. Reported mental health outcomes could be predominantly understood as reductions in ‘positive mental health’. Findings are theoretically located in models of work-family conflict and latent deprivation; insecure work constrains access to benefits of time structure, social contacts, social purposes, status and identity, which correlate with psychological wellbeing. Frequently failing also to provide the manifest (financial) benefits of work, insecure employment poses mental health risks on both fronts." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Joffe, Michael (2024): Evaluating Economic Success. Happiness, Health, and Basic Human Needs. (Wellbeing in Politics and Policy), Cham: Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan, XV, 116 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-57671-3

Abstract

"“Economics aims to be the study of making people's lives better, but the focus has for too long been too narrow. This book makes a compelling case for measures of economic progress that go beyond GDP growth to put human wellbeing firmly in the spotlight, setting out a new system for assessing success.” -- Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge, UK “Michael Joffe's book complements the growing criticisms to GDP as the sole (or main) metric to measure economic success with new outcome indicators that measure attainment of human needs and well-being. From this point of view, it is not only a step forward in the direction of overcoming the old and counterproductive economic metrics, but it puts forward a practical, actionable approach to measuring economic “growth” in a completely different way. I hope this book will have the reception it deserves, as a clear theoretical essay and a source of concrete and novel metrics for economics based on human needs”. -- Paolo Vineis, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK This open access book argues that a new policy approach is required in order to tackle the numerous problems the world is currently facing. The priority should be on achieving better outcomes for people, especially those facing deprivation or precariousness, by meeting their basic needs. In order to achieve this, the book develops a monitoring system that can act as an objective, an incentive, and a criterion of success for policy makers at all levels of government and in civil society, as well as providing information to guide specific actions. In doing so, the book aims to promote good health and positive social functioning by providing a new approach to help assess how well basic human needs are being met. This involves monitoring the outcomes of the economy that ought to satisfy these needs. It will appeal to all those interested in public policy, official statistics and monitoring, public health and wellbeing, as well as practitioners. Michael Joffe is affiliated with the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, UK. He writes on topics in economics. ." (Provided by publisher)

Zitatform

Bertoni, Marco, Giorgio Brunello & Filippo Da Re (2023): Pension reforms, longer working horizons and depression. Does the risk of automation matter? In: Labour Economics, Jg. 85. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2023.102447

Abstract

"We investigate the effect of postponing minimum retirement age on middle-aged workers’ depression. Using pension reforms in several European countries and data from the SHARE survey, we find that depression increases with a longer work horizon, but only among workers in occupations with a relatively high risk of automation. We explain our results with the higher job insecurity associated with occupations that are more exposed to automation, and rule out alternatives, including pension wealth effects and the differential exposure of occupations to the business cycle." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))

Zitatform

Cottini, Elena, Paolo Ghinetti, Elisabetta Iossa & Pierluigi Sacco (2023): Stress, effort, and incentives at work. In: Oxford economic papers, Jg. 75, H. 2, S. 325-345. DOI:10.1093/oep/gpac021

Abstract

"An extensive medical and occupational-health literature finds that an imbalance between effort and reward is an important stressor which produces serious health consequences. We incorporate these effects in a simple agency model with moral hazard and limited liability and study the impact on agents’ effort and utility, as well as incentive pay provision, assuming agents differ in stress susceptibility. We test main model’s implications using the 2015 wave of the European Working Condition Survey. We find that individuals who are more susceptible to stress work harder and have lower subjective well-being. The likelihood of receiving incentive pay is not monotone in stress susceptibility." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Zacchia, Giulia & Izaskun Zuazu (2023): The Wage Effect of Workplace Sexual Harassment: Evidence for Women in Europe. (Working papers / Institute for New Economic Thinking 205),: Institute for New Economic Thinking 27 S. DOI:10.36687/inetwp205

Abstract

"This article contributes to the literature on wage discrimination by examining the consequences of sexual harassment in the workplace on wages for women in Europe. We model the empirical relationship between sexual harassment risk and wages for European women employees using individual-level data provided by the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS, Eurostat). We find that sexual harassment risk has a negative and statistically significant effect on wages of -0.03% on average for women in Europe. However, our empirical analysis uncovers the importance of considering the dynamics of workplace power relations: analyzing individual-level data, we find evidence of a higher negative impact of sexual harassment risk on wages for women working in counter-stereotypical occupations. We conclude that the wage effect of hostile working conditions, mainly in terms of sexual harassment risk in the workplace, should be considered and monitored as a first critical step in making women be less vulnerable at work and increasing their bargaining power, thereby reducing inequalities in working conditions and pay in Europe." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Bogliacino, Francesco, Cristiano Codagnone, Frans Folkvord & Francisco Lupiáñez-Villanueva (2022): The impact of labour market shocks on mental health. Evidence from the COVID-19 first wave. (SocArXiv papers), 33 S. DOI:10.31235/osf.io/wx9d4

Abstract

"In this study, we estimate the effect of a negative labour market shock on individuals’ levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. We use a dataset collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, on a representative sample of citizens from Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, interviewed on three occasions. We measure stress, anxiety and depression and labour shocks using validated scales. Our research design is a standard differences-in-differences model: we leverage the differential timing of shocks to identify the impact on mental health. In our estimations, a negative labour shock increases the measure of stress, anxiety, and depression by 16% of a standard deviation computed from the baseline." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Cazes, Sandrine, Clara Krämer, Sebastien Martin & Chloé Touzet (2022): Well-being, productivity and employment: Squaring the working time policy circle. In: A. Bassanini (Hrsg.) (2022): OECD Employment Outlook 2022: Building Back More Inclusive Labour Markets, S. 243-350.

Abstract

"Working time is both a key element of workers’ lives and a production factor. Understanding how working time policy relates to well-being and economic outcomes is thus crucial to design measures balancing welfare and efficiency concerns. Evidence so far has largely focused on the use of maximum hours’ regulation to prevent detrimental effects on workers’ health, and the effect of normal hours reductions on employment levels. This chapter brings two new perspectives: first, it accounts for the fact that workers’ well-being is an increasingly central societal objective of working time policies, and therefore considers well-being effects alongside productivity and employment effects. Second, it accounts for the use of flexible hours and the development of teleworking in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and considers their impact on well-being, productivity and employment. Building on these analyses, the chapter discusses the potential of various working time policies to enhance non-material aspects of workers’ well-being such as health, work-life balance and life satisfaction while preserving employment or productivity" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Curtarelli, Maurizio (2022): Sicherheit und Gesundheit für eine vielfältige Erwerbsbevölkerung. In: DGUV-Forum, Jg. 14, H. 4, S. 25-30.

Abstract

"Der Ausdruck „Vielfalt in der Erwerbsbevölkerung“ bezieht sich auf die heterogene Zusammensetzung der Belegschaft in Bezug auf soziodemografische und physische Merkmale der Arbeitskräfte. Diese geht häufig mit schlechteren Arbeitsbedingungen und einer erhöhten Gefährdung der Sicherheit und des Gesundheitsschutzes am Arbeitsplatz einher." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Di Novi, Cinzia, Paolo Paruolo & Stefano Verzillo (2022): The Role of Employment Protection Legislation Regimes in Shaping the Impact of Job Disruption on Older Workers' Mental Health in Times of COVID-19. (JRC working papers in economics and finance 2022,02), Brüssel, 32 S.

Abstract

"This study exploits individual data from the 8th wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and the SHARE Corona Survey to investigate the mental health consequences of COVID-19 job disruption across different European countries. It focuses on older workers (aged 50 and over) who were exposed to a higher risk of infection from COVID-19 and were also more vulnerable to the risk of long-term unemployment and permanent labour market exits during economic downturns. The relationship between job disruption in times of COVID-19 and older workers' mental health is investigated using differences in country-level employment legislation regimes in the EU. European countries are clustered into three macro-regions with high, intermediate and low employment regulatory protection regulations, using the Employment Protection Legislation (EPL) aggregate score proposed by the OECD. Results reveal a clear EPL gradient: job disruption has a positive and significant impact on older workers' psychological distress especially in those countries where EPL is more binding. The present findings suggest possible mitigating measures for older unemployed in the EU countries with higher Employment Protection legislation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Nekoei, Arash (2022): Will Markets Provide Humane Jobs? A Hypothesis. (CESifo working paper 9533), München, 37 S.

Abstract

"Most of the key amenities of our today jobs did not emerge in private contracts; instead, they appeared in collective agreements and regulations. I argue that understanding this observation can guide the provision of future amenities. I show that markets underprovide an amenity if workers who value it more have a lower average unobserved productivity. Universal mandate of such amenities improves social welfare when taste-productivity correlation is high. Policies that leverage heterogeneity in the taste-productivity correlation by observable characteristics, e.g., quota and tagging, dominate mandate in the presence of a mild adverse selection." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Nikulin, Dagmara, Joanna Wolszczak-Derlacz & Aleksandra Parteka (2022): Working Conditions in Global Value Chains: Evidence for European Employees. In: Work, Employment and Society, Jg. 36, H. 4, S. 701-721. DOI:10.1177/0950017020986107

Abstract

"This article investigates a sample of almost nine million workers from 24 European countries in 2014 to conclude how involvement in global value chains (GVCs) affects working conditions. We use employer–employee data from the Structure of Earnings Survey merged with industry-level statistics on GVCs based on the World Input-Output Database. Given the multidimensional nature of the dependent variable, we compare estimates of the Mincerian wage model with zero-inflated beta regressions focused on other aspects of working conditions (overtime work and bonus payments). Wages prove to be negatively related to involvement in GVCs: workers in the more deeply involved sectors have lower and less stable earnings, implying worse working conditions. However, they are also less likely to have to work overtime. We prove that the analysis of social implications of increasing involvement of countries in global production must compare wage effects of GVCs with other aspects of complex changes in workers’ well-being." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Bertoni, Marco, Danilo Cavapozzi, Giacomo Pasini & Caterina Pavese (2021): Remote Working and Mental Health during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic. (IZA discussion paper 14773), Bonn, 26 S.

Abstract

"We use longitudinal data from the SHARE survey to estimate the causal effect of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of senior Europeans. We face endogeneity concerns both for the probability of being employed during the pandemic and for the choice of different work arrangements conditional on employment. Our research design overcomes these issues by exploiting variation in the technical feasibility of remote working across occupations and in the legal restrictions to in-presence work across sectors. We estimate heterogeneous effects of remote working on mental health: we find negative effects for respondents with children at home and for those living in countries with low restrictions or low excess death rates due to the pandemic. On the other hand, the effect is positive for men and for respondents with no co-residing children." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Biletta, Isabella, Jorge Cabrita, Franz Eiffe, Barbara Gerstenberger, Agnes Parent-Thirion, Oscar Vargas & Tina Weber (2021): Working conditions and sustainable work. An analysis using the job quality framework. (Eurofound flagship report), Dublin, 72 S. DOI:10.2806/938302

Abstract

"This flagship report summarises the key findings of Eurofound’s research on working conditions conducted over the programming period 2017–2020. It maps the progress achieved since 2000 in improving working conditions and examines whether all workers have benefited equally from positive change. It highlights which groups are the most at risk of experiencing poor working conditions and being left behind. Given the changes in the world of work, emerging challenges for good job quality are identified. The report also provides evidence for measures that could lead to the further improvement of work and the achievement of fair working conditions for all in the EU. The analysis shows that, overall, job quality in the EU is improving, if slowly. Not all workers are benefiting to the same extent, however. Furthermore, gender, age and contractual status have a significant bearing on a person’s working conditions. And while digitalisation helps to address some job quality issues, it also creates new challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated trends, reinforcing concerns and highlighting the importance of achieving job quality for all." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Checchi, Daniele, Alessandra Fenizia & Claudio Lucifora (2021): Public Sector Jobs: Working in the Public Sector in Europe and the US. (IZA discussion paper 14514), Bonn, 38 S.

Abstract

"This paper reviews recent theoretical and empirical work on public employment management and presents novel stylized facts on public sector jobs. In the first part, we examine the evolution of managerial practices in the public sector and discuss the contractual arrangement of public sector workers and the labor market institutions that are prevalent in this setting. We argue that, for public sector employees, standard incentive schemes have a low power and are generally less effective than in the private sector. In the second part, we use two international surveys (6th European Working Conditions Survey, covering 28 European countries, and 2nd American Working Conditions Survey for the United States) to investigate selection into public sector employment, public-private pay differentials, and differences in working conditions in Europe and the US. While in Europe the public-private earning gap is positive for low-skilled workers and turns negative for skilled individuals, the gap is negative and relatively flat over the skill distribution in the US. We also document a positive public-private earnings differential in healthcare and education services in Europe, and a negative differential, though not statistically significant, in the US. We find that, in the US, two out of three public sector employees are exposed to some performance-related pay scheme, while in Europe is less than one in four. We do not find evidence that the public sector ensures a fairer work environment, as instances of harassment, discrimination, and obnoxious behavior are widespread." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Leoni, Thomas (2021): Sick but at work: Graded sick leave in a comparative perspective. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 55, H. 1, S. 65-81. DOI:10.1111/spol.12612

Abstract

"Measures to activate sick-listed workers and to combine work with sickness benefits are a growing but little-studied policy field. This article investigates graded sick leave benefits in Sweden, Finland and Germany. The analysis reveals some commonalities between countries, as well as substantial differences in terms of institutional background, benefit design and governance. The schemes range from models in which grading has become an integral component of the regular sickness certification process, to models in which the graded-work option is targeted at a much smaller category of workers and has a stronger therapeutic character. The variation in design and governance of the models is reflected in large differences in terms of their diffusion. All schemes face a common set of obstacles and challenges. They relate in particular to the distribution of stakeholders' roles and responsibilities, the involvement of employers and the assessment of residual work ability." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Nikolova, Milena, Boris Nikolaev & Christopher Boudreaux (2021): Being Your Own Boss and Bossing Others. The Moderating Effect of Managing Others on Work Meaning and Autonomy for the Self-Employed and Employees. (IZA discussion paper 14909), Bonn, 37 S.

Abstract

"We examine the moderating role of being a supervisor for meaning and autonomy of self-employed and employed workers. We rely on regression analysis applied after entropy balancing based on a nationally representative dataset of over 80,000 individuals in 30 European countries for 2005, 2010, and 2015. We find that being a self-employed supervisor is correlated with more work meaningfulness and autonomy compared with being a salaried supervisor working for an employer. Wage supervisors and self-employed supervisors experience similar stress levels and have similar earnings, though self- employed supervisors work longer hours. Moreover, solo entrepreneurs experience slightly less work meaningfulness, but more autonomy compared with self-employed supervisors. This may be explained by the fact that solo entrepreneurs earn less but have less stress and shorter working hours than self- employed supervisors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Parteka, Aleksandra, Joanna Wolszczak-Derlacz & Dagmara Nikulin (2021): How digital technology affects working conditions in globally fragmented production chains: evidence from Europe. (Working paper series A / GUT Faculty of Management and Economics 66), Gdańsk, 68 S.

Abstract

"This paper uses a sample of over 9.5 million workers from 22 European countries to study the intertwined effects of digital technology and cross-border production links on workers' wellbeing. We compare the social effects of technological change exhibited by three types of innovation: computerisation (software), automation (robots) and artificial intelligence (AI). To fully quantify work-related wellbeing, we propose a new methodology that corrects the information on remuneration by reference to such non-monetary factors as the work environment (physical and social), career development prospects, or work intensity. We show that workers' wellbeing depends on the type of technological exposure. Employees in occupations with high software or robots content face worse working conditions than those exposed to AI. The impact of digitalisation on working conditions depends on participation in global production. To demonstrate this, we estimate a set of augmented models for determination of working conditions, interacting technological factors with Global Value Chain participation. GVC intensification is accompanied by deteriorating working conditions - but only in occupations exposed to robots or software, not in AI-intensive jobs. In other words, we find that AI technologies differ from previous waves of technological progress - also in their impact on workers' wellbeing within global production structures." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Pega, Frank, Bálint Náfrádi, Natalie C. Momen, Yuka Ujita, Kai N. Streicher, Annette M. Prüss-Üstün, Alexis Descatha, Tim Driscoll, Frida M. Fischer, Lode Godderis, Hannah M. Kiiver, Jian Li, Linda L. Magnusson Hanson, Reiner Rugulies, Kathrine Sørensen & Tracey J. Woodruff (2021): Global, regional, and national burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke attributable to exposure to long working hours for 194 countries, 2000-2016. A systematic analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. In: Environment International, Jg. 154. DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106595

Zitatform

Reuter, Marvin, Nico Dragano & Morten Wahrendorf (2021): Working while sick in context of regional unemployment: a Europe-wide cross-sectional study. In: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Jg. 75, H. 6, S. 574-580. DOI:10.1136/jech-2020-214888

Abstract

"Background Research suggests that areas with high unemployment have lower rates of sickness absence, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. One assumption is that when unemployment is high people are more likely to work while being sick (discipline hypothesis). Against this background, we investigate the association between regional unemployment and sickness presenteeism. Second, we study interactions with factors of occupational disadvantage. Methods: We combined survey data of 20 974 employees collected 2015 in 232 regions from 35 European countries with data on regional unemployment rates obtained from Eurostat. Presenteeism was assessed by the fraction of days worked while ill among all days with illness (presenteeism propensity). To investigate if unemployment was related to presenteeism, we estimated multi-level models (individuals nested in regions) that were adjusted for socio-demographic and occupational covariates to account for compositional differences of the regions. Results: The mean presenteeism propensity was 34.8 (SD 40.4), indicating that workers chose presenteeism in 1 out of 3 days with sickness. We found that a change in unemployment by +10 percentage points was associated with a change in presenteeism by +5 percentage points (95% CI 1.2 to 8.6). This relationship was more pronounced among workers with low salary, low skill-level, and industrial and healthcare workers. Conclusion: Our results support the assumption that high unemployment elevates presenteeism, and that people in disadvantaged occupations are particularly affected. Policies managing presenteeism should consider the labour market context, particularly during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Riekhoff, Aart-Jan, Oxana Krutova & Jouko Nätti (2021): The 24/7 economy and work during unsocial hours in Europe: Examining the influence of labor market dualization, regulation and collective bargaining. In: Economic and Industrial Democracy, Jg. 42, H. 4, S. 1080-1104. DOI:10.1177/0143831X19846330

Abstract

"This article examines the individual- and country-level factors that contribute to the risk of working unsocial hours in 30 European countries. Using the EU labor force survey data, the authors test for the influence of labor market dualization, product- and labor market regulation, and collective bargaining on the individual risk of working unsocial hours. The risks of working unsocial hours are strongly dualized in all countries, but the size of the risk gap between low-skilled outsiders and high-skilled insiders varies. In countries where collective bargaining plays a greater role in regulating work hours the gap between low- and high-skilled workers is smaller." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Balz, Anne & Klaus Pforr (2020): Operationalization of Employment Protection Legislation and Implications for Substantive Results. Example of Perceived Job Insecurity and Temporary Employment Risk. (GESIS papers 2020,19), Mannheim, 39 S. DOI:10.21241/ssoar.70793

Abstract

"Almost all comparative research on the effects of employment protection legislation of regular employees (EPLR) is based on the index of the OECD. This study argues that this index is methodologically flawed and proposes a new EPLR index, following a theory-driven formative index construction approach. To demonstrate the implications using the OECD EPLR index versus the new index, we use two empirical applications: First, the effects of EPLR on perceived job insecurity, using multi-level models with data from the European Social Survey, the European Working Condition Survey, and the European Quality of Life Survey. Secondly the temporary employment risk for new hires, using multi-level models with data from the European Labour Force Survey. Whereas the results based on the OECD EPLR index significantly deviate from the hypotheses in the literature, the results using the new EPLR index is compliant with the hypotheses in the literature. This demonstrates higher criterion validity of the theory-driven new EPLR index and also calls for replications of previous research that is based on the index of the OECD." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Russo, Concetta & Marco Terraneo (2020): Mental Well-being Among Workers: A Cross-national Analysis of Job Insecurity Impact on the Workforce. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 152, H. 1, S. 421-442. DOI:10.1007/s11205-020-02441-5

Abstract

"Drawing on 2011 and 2016 European Quality of Life Survey data from eight European countries, this paper considers the importance of subjective indicators of employment conditions in impacting mental well-being. Among employment conditions, job insecurity has been discussed as having a negative impact on mental well-being by enhancing the worker's sense of unpredictability. The idea of losing one's job brings with it the fear of an uncertain or unclear future and the sense of lack of agency—i.e. feeling powerless with respect to the risk of becoming unemployed. Thus, we investigate two dimensions of job insecurity, namely 'cognitive job insecurity' and 'labour market insecurity'. Our dependent variable is mental health well-being, measured using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), which is a self-reported health scale validated by several studies and internationally adopted for measuring psychological well-being. We apply a fixed-effects model and use a set of individual control variables to obtain parameter estimates. Moreover, to control for country-level heterogeneity, two macro-level variables are considered: the type of welfare regime and employment protection. The novelty of this research lies in disentangling the concept of precariousness from the dichotomy of open-ended/non-open-ended contract and in including in the analysis subjective categories such as self-perceived job insecurity. The findings of our study suggest that self-perceived job insecurity is negatively related to mental well-being for both permanent and temporary workers, making this stressor an important feature in predicting the emergence of psychological distress (i.e. feelings of anxiety or depression) among the workforce." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Zitatform

Wiß, Tobias, Lisa Schmidthuber & Valeria Bordone (2020): Quality of Working Conditions, Sector of Employment and Age at Retirement. In: Management revue, Jg. 31, H. 2, S. 145-166. DOI:10.5771/0935-9915-2020-2-145

Abstract

"Prolonging employment and postponing retirement are seen as promising solutions to make labour markets and pension systems sustainable in ageing Europe with low employment rates of older people and widespread early retirement. The aim of the paper is to identify to what extent quality of working conditions and sector of employment affect the actual age at retirement. Based on SHARELIFE data on 13 European countries, we investigate the association between age at retirement on the one hand and 12 quality of working conditions attributes and six economic sectors on the other using linear regression models. Our results show that freedom to decide how to do the work is significantly associated with a higher age at retirement and adequate salary with a lower age at retirement among both men and women, while working in a comfortable environment, without emotional demands, and where employees experienced fair treatment is positively related to age at retirement only for men. Furthermore, our analysis provides evidence that quality of working conditions attributes are more important for age at retirement in the service, manufacturing and industry sectors than in the finance, trade, and primary sectors. A stronger focus on improving quality of working conditions is likely to promote a higher age at retirement among both men and women." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Addison, John T. & Paulino Teixeira (2019): Workplace employee representation and industrial relations performance. New evidence from the 2013 European company survey. In: Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik, Jg. 239, H. 1, S. 111-154. DOI:10.1515/jbnst-2017-0146

Abstract

"Using cross-country data from the European Company Survey, we investigate the relationship between workplace employee representation and management perceptions of the climate of industrial relations, sickness/absenteeism, employee motivation, and staff retention. For a considerably reduced subset of the data, a fifth indicator - strike activity - is also considered alongside the other behavioral outcomes. From one perspective, the expression of collective voice through works council-type entities may be construed as largely beneficial, especially when compared with their counterpart union agencies either operating alone or in a dominant position. However, if heightened distributional struggles explain these differential outcomes in workplace employee representation, it should not go unremarked that the influence of formal collective bargaining is seemingly positive." (Author's abstract, © De Gruyter) ((en))

Zitatform

Aleksynska, Mariya, Janine Berg, David Foden, Hannah Johnston, Agnès Parent-Thirion & Julie Vanderleyden (2019): Working conditions in a global perspective. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Luxemburg, VII, 178 S. DOI:10.2806/870542

Abstract

"Job quality is a major focus of policymakers around the world. For workers, the enterprises that employ them and for societies, there are benefits associated with high-quality jobs, and costs associated with poor-quality jobs. This report - the result of a pioneering project by the International Labour Organization and Eurofound - provides a comparative analysis of job quality covering approximately 1.2 billion workers in Europe, Asia and the Americas. It analyses seven dimensions of job quality: the physical environment, work intensity, working time quality, the social environment, skills and development, prospects, and earnings, finding both important differences and similarities between countries. By analysing positive and negative aspects of job quality in different countries and societies, the report provides a way to look beyond national explanations, to see how some groups of workers are affected more than others and understand the particular issues for women workers around the world - in support of evidence-based policymaking to improve job quality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Goerke, Laszlo (2019): Absence from work, sick pay and positional consumption concerns. In: Labour, Jg. 33, H. 2, S. 187-211. DOI:10.1111/labr.12144

Abstract

"We analyse labour supply and absence from work choices, assuming that individual preferences exhibit relative consumption concerns. We show that contractual hours and the length of absence periods may vary equally with the strength of positional considerations. In this case, positional concerns do not affect their difference, i.e. overall or effective working time. Moreover, the nature and intensity of relative consumption effects influence the impact of sick pay and of true illness periods on contractual work hours and absence behaviour. Consequently, the profitability of employing individuals also varies with the strength of their positional concerns." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Kubicek, Bettina, Matea Paškvan, Roman Prem, Julia Schöllbauer, Matthias Till, Jorge Cabrita, Agnès-Parent Thirion & Mathijn Wilkens (2019): Working conditions and workers' health. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Luxemburg: Europäische Kommissionm, Amt für Veröffentlichungen, V, 69 S. DOI:10.2806/909840

Abstract

"This report uses European Working Conditions Survey data to examine working conditions and their implications for worker's health. Ensuring the sustainability of work in the context of ageing populations implies a greater number of people in employment who can remain in the workforce for longer. The report examines the interplay between work demands - which carry an increased risk of exhaustion - and work resources - which support workers in greater engagement and well-being. The findings indicate that physical risks have not increased but remain important, while emotional demands have increased, underlining the growing importance of psychosocial risks at work. Changes over time suggest that although the risk of poor health is concentrated in certain occupations, those occupations traditionally considered to be protected are increasingly exposed to risks that are likely to affect workers' health and well-being." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Nachreiner, Friedhelm, Anna Arlinghaus & Jana Greubel (2019): Variabilität der Arbeitszeit und Unfallrisiko. In: Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, Jg. 73, H. 4, S. 369-379. DOI:10.1007/s41449-019-00172-z

Abstract

"In der letzten Zeit werden Forderungen nach mehr Flexibilität und größerer Anpassbarkeit der Arbeitszeiten, insbesondere an die betrieblichen Anforderungen aber auch an die Anforderungen der Beschäftigten, immer deutlicher und zwar deutlich weitergehend, als das derzeitige Arbeitszeitgesetz in der BRD zulässt. Konfligierend damit legen erste Studien einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Variabilität der Arbeitszeit und dem Unfallrisiko nahe. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde im Rahmen einer Analyse vorliegenden Datenmaterials einer europäischen Umfrage (European Working Conditions Survey 2010) mit Hilfe statistisch den vorzufindenen Verteilungen angemessener logistischer Regressionsansätze der Steigerung des Unfallrisikos und des Risikos von unfallbedingten Ausfalltagen nachgegangen. Die Variabilität der Arbeitszeitsysteme wurde dabei mit Hilfe eines faktorenanalytisch gewonnenen Indizes abgebildet, ebenso wie die Kontrollvariablen zur körperlichen und zur psychischen Belastung wie zur Autonomie bei der Gestaltung der Arbeitsbedingungen. Die Autonomie bei der Gestaltung der eigenen Arbeitszeit wurde durch eine eigene, separate Frage abgebildet.
Die Ergebnisse belegen eine signifikante und deutliche Steigerung des Unfallrisikos durch variable Arbeitszeiten, mit Odds-Ratios im Bereich um 1,25 und damit rund 25 %, und zwar unter Kontrolle potentiell konfundierender Bedingungen wie der berichteten Belastung, dem a priori Risiko der Tätigkeit, der Dauer der Arbeitszeit, Schichtarbeit, sowie weiterer Variablen. Autonomie in der Gestaltung der eigenen Arbeitszeiten senkt das Risiko leicht, allerdings nicht substantiell. Im Prinzip erweist sich damit die Variabilität der Arbeitszeit als bedeutsamer Risiko-Faktor, unabhängig davon, wer sie verursacht oder von wem sie ausgeht.
Grund für diese Risikosteigerung könnte eine Desynchronisierung (oder Anstöße dazu) mit biologischen oder sozialen Rhythmen sein. Aus arbeitswissenschaftlicher Sicht erscheint daher bei der Erhöhung der Flexibilität und damit der Variabilität der Arbeitszeiten erhebliche Vorsicht geboten. Dies gilt auch für Veränderungen der normativen Regelungen zur Gestaltung der Arbeitszeiten.
Praktische Relevanz Die Variabilität der Arbeitszeit, insbesondere bei flexiblen Arbeitszeiten, sollte trotz weitergehender Forderungen nach größerer Flexibilisierung auf ein erträgliches Maß begrenzt werden. So können variabilitätsbedingte Anstöße zur Desynchronisation von biologischen und sozialen Rhythmen und darüber ausgelöste Beeinträchtigungen, wie etwa ein erhöhtes Unfallrisiko, vermieden werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Paulus, Stefan (2019): Gefährdungsbeurteilungen von psychosozialen Risiken in der Arbeitswelt. Zum Stand der Forschung. In: Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft, Jg. 73, H. 2, S. 141-152. DOI:10.1007/s41449-018-0117-8

Abstract

"In der derzeitigen Diskussion um die Zukunft und Entwicklung der Arbeitswelt gilt es als eine der größten Herausforderungen die psychische Gesundheit von Erwerbstätigen zu erhalten. Aktuelle Erkenntnisinteressen liegen darin begründet, zu prognostizieren, wie betriebliche Arbeitsbelastungen mit lebenslagenspezifischen Belastungen und subjektiven Bewältigungsstrategien korrespondieren, um daraus abzuleiten, wie gesundheitsgefährdende Konstellationen entstehen und wie dadurch eine Bewertung von Gefährdungskonstellationen möglich ist. In diesem Artikel wird dementsprechend der aktuelle Forschungsstand zu Gefährdungsbeurteilungen von psychosozialen Risiken aufgearbeitet. Hierbei wird deutlich, dass die Analyse von dynamischen Wechselwirkungen und Abhängigkeitskonstellationen von arbeitsorganisatorischen, individuellen, biologischen und soziokulturellen Bedingungen aus arbeitswissenschaftlicher Perspektive derzeit ein zentrales Forschungsdesiderat darstellt. Im Artikel wird die Frage geklärt, wie Gefährdungsbeurteilungen im Kontext der Konstellationen von Arbeitsbelastungen und gesundheitsgefährdenden Arbeitsbeanspruchungen auf der Grundlage multifaktorieller Wirkungszusammenhänge dynamisch und generisch erstellt werden können.<br> Praktische Relevanz: Durch die Entwicklung von dynamischen und generischen Prozessmodellen, welche multivariate Ursache-Wirkungszusammenhänge von Gefährdungen aufzeigen, können Regelwerke zur Gefährdungsbeurteilung abgeleitet werden, die es ermöglichen Gefährdungskonstellationen zu erkennen und Erkrankungswahrscheinlichkeiten zu prognostizieren." (Autorenreferat)

Zitatform

Piasna, Agniezska, Brendan Burchell & Kirsten Sehnbruch (2019): Job quality in European employment policy. One step forward, two steps back? In: Transfer, Jg. 25, H. 2, S. 165-180. DOI:10.1177/1024258919832213

Abstract

"Dieser Artikel analysiert die Entwicklung und Verwendung des Konzepts der 'Arbeitsplatzqualität' in der Beschäftigungspolitik der Europäischen Union (EU). Unter Verwendung einer Reihe sich ergänzender Theorien der Public Policy untersucht das Autorenteam, wie sowohl politische als auch begriffliche Faktoren dazu beigetragen haben, dass es bisher keine signifikanten Fortschritte bei der Definition der Arbeitsplatzqualität in den politischen Zielen und Leitlinien der EU gegeben hat. Eine eindeutige begriffliche Festlegung dessen, was Arbeitsplatzqualität ist (und was sie nicht ist), aus wessen Perspektive sie betrachtet werden sollte und welche Veränderungen als Verbesserung interpretiert werden könnten, sind wichtige Voraussetzungen für eine effektive Integration der Arbeitsplatzqualität in die Beschäftigungsstrategie der EU und in die Ausarbeitung praxistauglicher sozialer Indikatoren. Eine beständige politische Auseinandersetzung zwischen den unterschiedlichen Stakeholdern auf EU-Ebene und die Aufgabe, die oft widersprüchlichen Ansichten der Sozialpartner miteinander zu versöhnen, haben den erfolgreichen Abschluss dieses ersten Schrittes verhindert. Stattdessen wurde versucht, die Arbeitsplatzqualität in den Prozess der Politikformulierung einzubeziehen, ohne dabei gleichzeitig das Gesamtnarrativ anzupassen, das weiterhin Flexibilität und Deregulierung einen höheren Stellenwert gibt. Das Ergebnis waren recht erratische und inkonsequente Bemühungen der Umsetzung politischer Maßnahmen und Aktionen zur Verbesserung der Arbeitsplatzqualität." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Addison, John T. & Paulino Teixeira (2018): The shortfall in formal employee participation at the European workplace. (CESifo working paper 7399), München, 41 S.

Abstract

"Cross-country data are used to establish perceived shortfalls in employee involvement based on the responses of employee representatives in EU establishments with formal workplace employee representation. The desire for greater involvement is smaller where workplace representation is via works councils than union bodies, a finding that also obtains across country clusters. However, the favorable influence of the works council institution, if not information provision, does not carry over to situations in which management is adjudged uncooperative and untrustworthy. Whether the views of these respondents are representative of the workforce and hypothetically of a workforce currently without representation is also considered." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Amelung, Volker, Sherry Glied & Angelina Topan (2018): Health Care and the Labor Market: Learning from the German Experience. In: Journal of health politics, policy and law, Jg. 28, H. 4, S. 693-714. DOI:10.1215/03616878-28-4-693

Abstract

"Many observers have begun to question the U.S. reliance on an employment-based private health insurance system. In thinking about the future of this system, it is instructive to examine the German experience. The German health insurance system is almost entirely organized and financed around the labor market. In recent years, the German labor market has changed in several ways. Among other changes, more German women now work, the proportion of retirees in the population has increased, the share of manufacturing in employment has declined, and the economy has become more open. These labor market changes have made it more difficult to organize health insurance around employment in Germany. Recent changes in the German health insurance system have, to some extent, decoupled health insurance from employment. This decoupling is likely to continue as the labor market changes further. We explore the implications of this experience for the United States." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Aumayr-Pintar, Christine, Catherine Cerf & Agnès Parent-Thirion (2018): Burnout in the workplace. A review of data and policy responses in the EU. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 39 S. DOI:10.2806/957351

Abstract

"This report looks at the extent of burnout experienced by workers in the EU, based on national research. As a starting point, the report sets out to consider whether burnout is viewed as a medical or occupational disease. It then examines the work determinants associated with burnout and looks at the effects of burnout, including psychosocial and physical work factors, work intensity and work organisation. It also reviews national strategies and policies regarding this issue, the involvement of the social partners in the current debate, as well as preventive actions currently in place." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Krzywdzinski, Martin (2018): Die Rolle von Niedriglohnperipherien in den globalen Wertschöpfungsketten der Automobilindustrie. Der Fall Mittelosteuropas. In: Prokla, Jg. 48, H. 4, S. 523-544. DOI:10.32387/prokla.v48i193.1144

Abstract

"Die Rolle von Niedriglohnperipherien in den globalen Wertschöpfungsketten der Automobilindustrie. Der Fall Mittelosteuropas. Welche Perspektiven bietet die Inklusion in die globalen Wertschöpfungsketten der Automobilindustrie für Niedriglohnperipherien? Am Beispiel Mittelosteuropas zeigt der vorliegende Artikel eine ambivalente Entwicklung. Auf der einen Seite haben die mittelosteuropäischen Standorte der Automobilindustrie eine tiefgreifende Modernisierung von Produkten und Technologien durchlaufen. Auf der anderen Seite bleibt die Region höchst abhängig von Verbrennungsmotortechnologien, während Innovationsaktivitäten im Bereich von Zukunftstechnologien (z.B. Elektromobilität) sehr begrenzt sind. Zudem hat die Dominanz neoliberaler Politikstrategien in Mittelosteuropa eine Entkopplung der wirtschaftlichen von der sozialen Entwicklung in Form stagnierender Löhne sowie fehlender Investitionen in Aus- und Weiterbildung gefördert." (Autorenreferat, © Verlag Westfälisches Dampfboot)

Zitatform

Piasna, Agnieszka & Anke Plagnol (2018): Women's job quality across family life stages. An analysis of female employees across 27 European countries. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 139, H. 3, S. 1065-1084. DOI:10.1007/s11205-017-1743-9

Abstract

"There is little empirical evidence on how working conditions affect women's employment and fertility choices, despite a number of studies on the impact of individual-level and institutional factors. The article addresses this gap by examining how family life stages are related to particular aspects of job quality among employed women in 27 European countries. The central argument of the analysis is that high-quality jobs are conducive to both transitions to motherhood and employment after childbirth as women select into these roles. Accordingly, mothers of young children, if employed, are expected to have relatively better quality jobs. Four dimensions of job quality are considered: job security, career progression, working time and intrinsic job quality. The results indicate that mothers with young children are more likely to hold high-quality jobs than women at other life stages with respect to working time quality and job security, but with some variation across countries for job security. The findings highlight the importance of high-quality jobs for women's fertility decisions and labour market attachment after childbirth, with implications for European employment policy." (Author's abstract, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Zitatform

Saint-Martin, Anne, Hande Inanc & Christopher Prinz (2018): Job quality, health and productivity. An evidence-based framework for analysis. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 221), Paris, 64 S. DOI:10.1787/a8c84d91-en

Abstract

"The nature, content and milieu of work - i.e. the quality of the working environment - matter in many ways for people, firms and society as a whole. There is a great deal of evidence to show clear associations between job quality and the health of workers, their ability to successfully combine work and life while fully mobilising their skills and abilities to build a career, and their productivity. Investments in quality working environments can be welfare enhancing and economically efficient. Policies and practices reflect these findings insufficiently, an apparent paradox that finds its roots in various market failures. There is scope for public intervention to raise awareness, to ensure better coordination of key stakeholders (employers, workers' representatives and various public entities) and to put in place the right financial incentives for firms to invest in better working conditions. Action in this field is also important in view of ongoing considerable changes in the labour market. The future of work is very uncertain at this stage; the digitalisation and uberisation of work have the potential for improvements in working conditions but also bear the risk of de-skilling, lower pay, lower job security and poor working conditions for parts of the labour force." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Weiss, Luzia M., Joseph Sakshaug & Axel Börsch-Supan (2018): Collection of biomeasures in a cross-national setting. Experiences in SHARE. In: T. P. Johnson, B.- E. Pennell, I. Stoop & B. Dorer (Hrsg.) (2018): Advances in comparative survey methods : multinational, multiregional and multicultural contexts (3MC), S. 623-642, 2018-03-04.

Abstract

"This chapter provides an overview of strategies and methods used to collect biomeasures cross-nationally. The chapter covers a range of practical issues associated with ensuring comparability of biomeasure collection across multiple countries. The overview is based on the experiences of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), a multinational study that surveys the older adult population and collects biomeasures in 20 European countries (plus Israel). SHARE faces an assortment of operational and legal issues related to the collection of biomeasures. We summarize these issues and describe how they are handled in SHARE. The intent of the chapter is to provide readers with a general understanding of biomeasure collection in a cross-national context and up-to-date knowledge of current practices." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Adjei, Nicholas Kofi, Tilman Brand & Hajo Zeeb (2017): Gender inequality in self-reported health among the elderly in contemporary welfare countries. A cross-country analysis of time use activities, socioeconomic positions and family characteristics. In: PLoS one, Jg. 12, H. 9, S. 1-24. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0184676

Abstract

"Background: Paradoxically, despite their longer life expectancy, women report poorer health than men. Time devoted to differing social roles could be an explanation for the observed gender differences in health among the elderly. The objective of this study was to explain gender differences in self-reported health among the elderly by taking time use activities, socio-economic positions, family characteristics and cross-national differences into account.
Methods: Data from the Multinational Time Use Study (MTUS) on 13,223 men and 18,192 women from Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and the US were analyzed. Multiple binary logistic regression models were used to examine the association between social factors and health for men and women separately. We further identified the relative contribution of different factors to total gender inequality in health using the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition method.
Results: Whereas time allocated to paid work, housework and active leisure activities were positively associated with health, time devoted to passive leisure and personal activities were negatively associated with health among both men and women, but the magnitude of the association varied by gender and country. We found significant gender differences in health in Germany, Italy and Spain, but not in the other countries. The decomposition showed that differences in the time allocated to active leisure and level of educational attainment accounted for the largest health gap.
Conclusions: Our study represents a first step in understanding cross-national differences in the association between health status and time devoted to role-related activities among elderly men and women. The results, therefore, demonstrate the need of using an integrated framework of social factors in analyzing and explaining the gender and cross-national differences in the health of the elderly population." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Arends, Iris, Christopher Prinz & Femke Abma (2017): Job quality, health and at-work productivity. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 195), Paris, 39 S. DOI:10.1787/43ff6bdc-en

Abstract

"Many countries invest considerable resources into promoting employment and the creation of jobs. At the same time, policies and institutions still pay relatively little attention to the quality of jobs although job quality has been found to be a major driver of employee wellbeing and may be an important factor for work productivity. Eventually, job quality might also influence labour supply choices and lead to higher employment. Providing robust evidence for the relationship between job quality and worker productivity could make a strong case for labour market policies directed at the improvement of job quality. This paper reviews existing evidence on the relationship between the quality of the work environment and individual at-work productivity, defined as reduced productivity while at work, and assesses the effect of health on this relationship.
After screening 2 319 studies from various fields and disciplines, including economics and medicine, 48 studies are reviewed. Strong evidence is found for a negative relationship between job stress or job strain and individual at-work productivity and for a positive relationship between job rewards and productivity. Moderate evidence is found for a negative relationship between work-family conflict and at-work productivity and for a positive relationship between fairness at work and social support from co-workers and productivity. Health influences the relationship between the quality of the work environment and productivity. Specifically, the relationship is stronger for people in good health.
Job quality needs a more prominent place in labour market policy. More attention needs to be paid to workers' perceptions of the quality of their work environment and how policies and practices at both the level of the worker and the work environment may influence this. Furthermore, as health-related factors significantly influence the relationship between job quality and productivity, multidisciplinary approaches are needed to support at-work productivity" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Coupaud, Marine (2017): Determinants of health at work in the EU15. Elaboration of synthetic indicators of working conditions and their impacts on the physical and mental health of workers. In: International journal of manpower, Jg. 38, H. 1, S. 93-126. DOI:10.1108/IJM-02-2016-0040

Abstract

"Purpose: Workers' health is a main concern in industrialized countries. The structural evolution of the labor market should have encouraged better working conditions, as should have increasing interest in corporate social responsibility. But work arduousness takes new forms as work organizations evolve. All workers are potentially affected by onerous working conditions. The purpose of this paper is to explore all types of working conditions that may affect workers.
Design/methodology/approach: The author creates four indicators of working conditions using the multiple correspondence analysis and also analyzes how they relate to the workers' physical and mental health using a logit model.
Findings: Performing the analysis on data from the third and fifth waves of the European Working Conditions Survey, the author presents the results showing the growing importance of interpersonal relationships at work and observes a rise in inequalities in terms of health over the period 2000-2010 for people belonging to the vulnerable categories: women and lower-income groups.
Originality/value: The author offers to describe the evolution of the working conditions of the European workers over an interesting period during which many changes took place. Moreover, this paper investigates the respective impacts of different types of working conditions to come up with policy recommendations." (Author's abstract, © Emerald Group) ((en))

Zitatform

Font, Joan Costa & Martin Ljunge (2017): The 'healthy worker effect': do healthy people climb the occupational ladder? (CESifo working paper 6712), München, 60 S.

Abstract

"The association between occupational status and health has been taken to reveal the presence of health inequalities shaped by occupational status. However, that interpretation assumes no influence of health status in explaining occupational standing. This paper documents evidence of non-negligible returns to occupation status on health (which we refer as 'healthy worker effect'). We use a unique empirical strategy that addressed reverse causality, namely an instrumental variable strategy using the variation in average health in the migrant's country of origin, a health measure plausibly not determined by the migrant's occupational status. Our findings suggest that health status exerts significant effects on occupational status in several dimensions; having a supervising role, worker autonomy, and worker influence. The effect size of health is larger than that of an upper secondary education." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Martin, Albert & Wenzel Matiaske (2017): Absenteeism as a reaction to harmful behavior in the workplace from a stress theory point of view. In: Management Revue, Jg. 28, H. 2, S. 227-254. DOI:10.5771/0935-9915-2017-2-227

Abstract

"The paper gives an overview as to the extent of socially harmful behavior in the workplace. Data comes from European Survey on Working Conditions. We draw upon the information from the surveys which were carried out in 2000, 2005 and 2010 in the EU-15. Unfortunately, the findings show that the number of employees who suffer socially harmful behavior in their work environment is not low. Following the assumption that stressful working conditions increase the probability of harmful behavior it is shown that the reaction to harmful behavior depends on what resources are available to the person affected. Social support and satisfying working conditions prove to be effective buffers against hostile behavior. Nevertheless, behavioral buffers can only play a supporting role in detecting and removing the causes of hostile behavior. The paper adds new insights into the topic and in addition to an overview, we identify empirically significant determinants and conduct a stress theoretic analysis of different ways of reacting to socially aversive behavior." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Maurer, Marissa (2017): Repräsentationen weiblicher Erwerbstätigkeit in japanischen und deutschen Frauenzeitschriften. München: Iudicium Verlag, 331 S.

Abstract

"In Japan und Deutschland hat sich die Rolle der Frau in den vergangenen Dekaden signifikant verändert. Einen der wichtigsten Faktoren dieses äußerst komplexen Wandlungsprozesses stellt die Bedeutungszunahme respektive -verschiebung einer außerhäuslichen Erwerbstätigkeit im Leben der Frauen dar. Da das Medium Frauenzeitschrift in besonderer Weise durch die inhaltliche Ausrichtung auf die Spezifika weiblicher Lebenszusammenhänge gekennzeichnet ist, wird mit der vorliegenden Studie der Frage nachgegangen, wie sich japanische und deutsche Frauenzeitschriften dem Themenkomplex Erwerbstätigkeit nähern und welchen möglichen Beitrag sie für ihre Leserinnen wie auch den öffentlichen Diskurs zur weiblichen Erwerbstätigkeit zu leisten vermögen. Im Mittelpunkt der Studie steht die Analyse der redaktionellen Beiträge der japanischen Frauenzeitschriften Nikkei Woman, Oggi und Marisol sowie der deutschen Titel Cosmopolitan, Brigitte Woman und Emotion im Hinblick auf die formale Präsentation und inhaltliche Konstruktion des Themas weibliche Erwerbstätigkeit. Ergänzt wird die primär inhaltsanalytisch basierte Studie im Rahmen einer nicht repräsentativen Befragung durch die Perspektive der Rezipientinnen." (Verlagsangaben, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Prosser, Thomas (2017): Explaining Implementation through Varieties of Capitalism Theory. The Case of the Telework and Work-related Stress Agreements. In: Journal of Common Market Studies, Jg. 55, H. 4, S. 889-908. DOI:10.1111/jcms.12514

Abstract

"Despite extensive literature on the implementation of European 'soft' law and Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) theory, no existing work has attempted to explain the implementation of soft law with reference to VoC. In this article, on the basis of a study of the implementation of the non-legally binding European Telework and Work-related Stress Agreements in four countries, we attempt to address this gap. Four hypotheses are developed, based on key tenets of VoC theory, which aim to explain divergent national implementation outcomes of the agreements. The predictive power of VoC emerges as mixed. Though a hypothesis concerning the propensity of Coordinated Market Economies (CMEs) to implement the agreements via collective agreements is confirmed, evidence for remaining hypotheses is more ambiguous. Implications for theories of soft law implementation and VoC theory are reflected upon in conclusion." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Rebeira, Mayvis, Paul Grootendorst, Peter C. Coyte & Victor Aguirregabiria (2017): Does rising income inequality affect mortality rates in advanced economies? (Economics. Discussion papers 2017-12), Kiel, 28 S.

Abstract

"What effect does rising income inequality have on mortality rates in developed countries? In particular, does the rise of the super-wealthy or the top 0.01% of the population effect overall health of the population? This paper focuses on the effect of rising income inequality on mortality rates of men and women in a subset of OECD countries over six decades from 1950 - 2008. The authors used adult mortality as the outcome measure and the inverted Pareto-Lorenz coefficient as the preferred measure of income inequality and obtained the latest and precise data on the income inequality measure. They used a panel co-integration econometric framework to address some of the challenges posed by more conventional methods. The findings show that for industrialized countries with co-integrated series, income inequality appears to have a long-run significant negative effect on mortality risk for both men and women, that is, an increase in income inequality does not appear to lower annualized adult mortality rates." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Tedone, Thomas S. (2017): Counting injuries and illnesses in the workplace. An international review. In: Monthly labor review, Jg. 140, H. September, S. 1-27. DOI:10.21916/mlr.2017.23

Abstract

"This article reviews salient features of national occupational safety and health surveillance systems within a cross section of countries, including the United States. Special attention is paid to differences in system scope and in methods of injury and illness data collection." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Wirtz, Anna & Friedhelm Nachreiner (2017): The effects of extended working hours on health and social well-being. A comparative analysis of four independent samples. In: Chronobiology international : the journal of biological and medical rhythm research, Jg. 27, H. 5, S. 1124-1134. DOI:10.3109/07420528.2010.490099

Abstract

"Using structural equation modeling, it can be shown that long weekly working hours and work on weekends, nights, and in shifts have detrimental effects on psychovegetative health. Employees' reported subjective work-life balance also decreases with increasing number of hours worked/week, days worked on weekends, or at nights, and with working shifts. A decrease in work-life balance in turn increases the risk of psychovegetative impairments (PVIs). Thus, long and unusual working hours increase the risk of psychovegetative health impairments both directly and indirectly, moderated by the subjective work-life balance. In fact, the indirect effects of working time on PVIs via the work-life balance seem to be stronger than the direct effects. Results of a cross-validation study of four independent and representative samples from Germany and the European Union (N?>?50,000) indicate high structural stability of these results and thus an increased validity and range for generalization." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Arnold, Daniel (2016): Determinants of the annual duration of sickness presenteeism. Empirical evidence from European data. In: Labour, Jg. 30, H. 2, S. 198-212. DOI:10.1111/labr.12053

Abstract

"Sickness presenteeism, i.e. going to work while sick, can cause substantial productivity losses. Focusing on work-related characteristics, we investigate the determinants of the annual duration of sickness presenteeism using representative European cross-sectional data. We find work autonomy, workload, tenure, and the work environment to be the quantitatively most relevant determinants of sickness presenteeism days. Work autonomy (control over one's work, being supervisor), workload (weekly working hours, time pressure), and tenure are positively related to the number of sickness presenteeism days. In contrast, a good work environment (good working conditions and social support) comes along with fewer presenteeism days." Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons

Zitatform

Caroli, Eve & Mathilde Godard (2016): Does job insecurity deteriorate health? A causal approach for Europe. In: Health Economics, Jg. 25, H. 2, S. 131-147. DOI:10.1002/hec.3122

Abstract

"This paper estimates the causal effect of perceived job insecurity - that is, the fear of involuntary job loss - on health in a sample of men from 22 European countries. We rely on an original instrumental variable approach on the basis of the idea that workers perceive greater job security in countries where employment is strongly protected by the law and more so if employed in industries where employment protection legislation is more binding; that is, in induastries with a higher natural rate of dismissals. Using cross-country data from the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey, we show that, when the potential endogeneity of job insecurity is not accounted for, the latter appears to deteriorate almost all health outcomes. When tackling the endogeneity issue by estimating an instrumental variable model and dealing with potential weak-instrument issues, the health-damaging effect of job insecurity is confirmed for a limited subgroup of health outcomes; namely, suffering from headaches or eyestrain and skin problems. As for other health variables, the impact of job insecurity appears to be insignificant at conventional levels." (Author's abstract, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Dragano, Nico, Morten Wahrendorf, Kathrin Müller & Thorsten Lunau (2016): Arbeit und gesundheitliche Ungleichheit. Die ungleiche Verteilung von Arbeitsbelastungen in Deutschland und Europa. In: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, Jg. 59, H. 2, S. 217-227. DOI:10.1007/s00103-015-2281-8

Abstract

"Arbeitsbelastungen könnten einen Anteil an der Entstehung sozial ungleicher Erkrankungsrisiken im Erwachsenenalter haben, wenn Beschäftigte aus benachteiligten Berufsklassen von diesen Belastungen häufiger betroffen sind. Empirische Daten für die Beurteilung dieser Annahme fehlen für Deutschland weitgehend.
Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die Forschung zur berufsbezogenen gesundheitlichen Ungleichheit. Anhand von Daten einer europäischen Beschäftigtenbefragung wird zudem die Verteilung eines breiten Spektrums von Arbeitsbelastungen über unterschiedliche berufliche Positionen untersucht.
Die Analysen basieren auf Daten des European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). Die deutsche Teilstichprobe (n?=?2096) und die Stichprobe für EU-27 Länder (n?=?34.529) wurden vergleichend ausgewertet. Die berufliche Position wurde anhand des EGP-Klassenschemas operationalisiert und die Prävalenz von 16 Arbeitsbelastungen für diese EGP-Berufsklassen geschlechtsspezifisch berechnet. In Regressionsmodellen wurde zudem geprüft, ob Unterschiede in der selbstberichteten Gesundheit zwischen Berufsklassen durch ein ungleiches Auftreten von Belastungen erklärt werden könnten.
Für zahlreiche Arbeitsbelastungen zeigte sich eine höhere Prävalenz bei manuellen Berufen und einfachen Angestellten. Dies gilt gleichermaßen für physische und psychische Belastungen. Die Ergebnisse für Männer und Frauen sowie für die deutsche und die europäische Stichprobe stimmten zum großen Teil überein.
Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass gesundheitlich belastende Arbeitsbedingungen einen Anteil an der Ausprägung sozial ungleicher Gesundheitschancen in der Bevölkerung haben. " © Springer-Verlag

Zitatform

Gimenez-Nadal, Jose Ignacio & Jose Alberto Molina (2016): Health inequality and the uses of time for workers in Europe. Policy implications. In: IZA journal of European Labor Studies, Jg. 5, S. 1-18. DOI:10.1186/s40174-016-0055-4

Abstract

"This paper analyses the relationship between health inequality and the time allocation decisions of workers in six European countries, deriving some important policy implications in the context of income tax systems, regulation of working conditions, and taxes on leisure activities. Using the Multinational Time Use Study, we find that a better perception of own health is associated with more time devoted to market work activities in all six countries and with less time devoted to housework activities for both men and women. However, the evidence for the associations between health and leisure is mixed. This study represents a first step in understanding cross-country differences in the relationship between health status and time devoted to a range of activities for workers, in contrast with other analyses that have mainly focused only on market work. A better understanding of these cross-country differences may help to identify the effects of public policy on inequalities in the uses of time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Wiencke, Markus, Mirella Cacace & Sebastian Fischer (Hrsg.) (2016): Healthy at Work. Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Cham: Springer London, 391 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-32331-2

Abstract

"This book aims at exploring the link between corporate and organizational culture, public and private policies, leadership and managerial skills or attitudes, and the successful implementation of work-related healthcare in Europe. Therefore it brings together a wide range of empirical and theoretical contributions from occupational health, management, psychology, medicine, economics, and (organizational) sociology to address the question of how to sustainably promote occupational health. Such important questions are explored as: What aspects of a corporate culture can be associated with health issues? How does leadership style affect the health of employees? How are health-related decisions in the workplace affected by the political environment? To what extent are interventions influenced by corporate culture, leadership and public policy? How can we make such interventions sustainable?" (Publisher information, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Antón, José-Ignacio, Enrique Fernández-Macías & Rafael Munos de Bustillo (2015): Job quality in Europe in the first decade of the 21st century. (Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre Linz. Arbeitspapier 1509), Linz, 34 S.

Abstract

"Using a recently developed aggregate indicator of job quality and three waves of the European Survey of Working Conditions (2000, 2005 and 2010) this paper explores the evolution job quality in the EU15 during the first decade of the 21st century, including the initial impact of the Great Recession. After a careful study of the evolution of job quality across the different dimensions and components of the proposed job quality index, differentiating between changes in the composition and changes in the means, we do not detect any major decline in job quality during the period, even during the early years of the economic crisis. The most significant change is a small increase in job quality in peripheral European countries, suggesting some convergence which may be undone in later years. We compare our findings with the conclusions of other authors and discuss several hypotheses for explaining the remarkable stability of job quality during such turbulent times." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Arnold, Daniel & Marco de Pinto (2015): How are work-related characteristics linked to sickness absence and presenteeism? Theory and data. In: Schmollers Jahrbuch, Jg. 135, H. 4, S. 465-498. DOI:10.3790/schm.135.4.465

Abstract

"This paper investigates how work-related factors affect workers' absence and presenteeism behavior. Previous studies (implicitly) assume that there is a substitutive relationship, i.e., a change in a work-related factor decreases the level of absence and simultaneously increases presenteeism (or vice versa). We set up a theoretical model in which work-related characteristics not only affect a worker's absence decision but also the individual-specific sickness definition. Since work-related factors affect presenteeism through these two channels, non-substitutive relationships between absence and presenteeism are also conceivable. Using European cross-sectional data, we find only few substitutive and complementary relationships, while the bulk of the work-related characteristics is related only to one of the two sickness states." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Aumayr-Pintar, Christine, Jorge Cabrita, Maurizio Curtarelli, Karel Fric, Andrea Fromm, Camilla Galli da Bino & Christian Welz (2015): Industrial relations and working conditions developments in Europe 2013. Dublin, 103 S. DOI:10.2806/91282

Abstract

"This report describes the main developments in industrial relations and working conditions in 2013 in the 28 EU Member States and in Norway, from both a national and EU-level perspective. Beginning with an overview of the current economic and political context in these countries, the report goes on to outline trends in industrial relations, including changes in the role and organisation of the social partners and the impact of government measures and legislation. The report highlights policies and initiatives, legislative developments and social dialogue in the following areas: industrial action, pay and wage-setting, working time, health and safety at work, conditions of employment - including job security, contractual arrangements, job mobility and transition - gender equality and discrimination, entry into and exit from employment, and skills development." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Buffel, Veerle, Rozemarijn Dereuddre & Piet Bracke (2015): Medicalization of the uncertainty? An empirical study of the relationships between unemployment or job insecurity, professional care seeking, and the consumption of antidepressants. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 31, H. 4, S. 446-459. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcv004

Abstract

"In addition to concerns about the treatment gap in mental health (MH) care, an increasing number of researchers are paying attention to the medicalization of daily life. Framed in a context characterized by a growth in the use of antidepressants and at the same time economic instability, the aim of this study is to unravel the relations between employment status/job insecurity, seeking professional care for MH problems, and antidepressant use. Data from the Eurobarometer 345 (2010) are used to perform gender-differentiated, multilevel logistic regression analyses. Our results show that, in accordance with the need hypothesis, part of the professional care use for emotional problems and part of the antidepressant use among the unemployed and those in insecure jobs are associated with their comparatively worse MH status. In addition, medicalization processes contribute to more frequent care and antidepressant use, irrespective of MH status, among the unemployed: increased antidepressant consumption among women in insecure jobs and more general practitioner consultations for emotional health problems among their male counterparts. In conclusion, evidence is found for both the need hypothesis as well as the medicalization hypothesis. In addition, we cannot conclude that women are more vulnerable to medicalization than men are." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Deurzen, Ioana van, Erik van Ingen & Wim J. H. van Oorschot (2015): Income inequality and depression: the role of social comparisons and coping resources. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 31, H. 4, S. 477-489. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcv007

Abstract

"In the present contribution, we address the idea that income inequality can 'get under the skin' and worsen the symptoms of depression. We investigate whether this effect can be explained by country differences in the average coping resources citizens have at their disposal, as well as the average extent to which they engage in social comparisons. In addition, we examine whether coping resources can protect individuals from the detrimental effect of inequality and whether the effect of inequality varies according to socio-economic (SES) positions. We use multilevel techniques on a sample of 43,824 respondents collected by the European Social Survey (ESS) 2006/2007 in 23 European countries and find that individuals in countries with greater income inequalities report more depressive symptoms. Although social comparisons are associated with more depressive symptoms, they do not explain the effect of inequality and neither do coping resources. However, we do find that coping resources can protect against the stress of living in a society with high income inequality. Our results provide some support for the idea that inequality is most corrosive to the mental health of the people in the middle of the income hierarchy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Devaux, Marion & Franco Sassi (2015): The labour market impacts of obesity, smoking, alcohol use and related chronic diseases. (OECD health working papers 86), Paris, 50 S. DOI:10.1787/5jrqcn5fpv0v-en

Abstract

"This paper examines the labour market impacts of lifestyle risk factors and associated chronic diseases, in terms of employment opportunities, wages, productivity, sick leave, early retirement and receipt of disability benefits. It provides a review of the evidence of the labour market outcomes of key risk factors (obesity, smoking and hazardous drinking) and of a number of related chronic diseases, along with findings from new analyses conducted on data from a selection of OECD countries. Overall, the evidence suggests that chronic diseases and associated risk factors have potentially large detrimental labour market impacts, but with mixed findings in some areas. Obesity and smoking clearly impair employment prospects, wages and labour productivity. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes have negative impacts on employment prospects and wages, and diabetes, cancer and arthritis lower labour productivity. Alcohol use, cancer, high blood pressure and arthritis have mixed effects on employment and wages, and are not always linked with increased sickness absence (e.g. cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure). Finally, this paper stresses the importance of these findings for the economy at large, and supports the use of carefully designed chronic disease prevention strategies targeting people at higher risk of adverse labour market outcomes, which may lead to substantial gains in economic production through a healthier and more productive workforce." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Hofmann, M., L. P. Hölzel, F. Frank & M. Berger (2015): Gefährdungsbeurteilung bei psychischen Überlastungen am Arbeitsplatz. Ein innereuropäischer Vergleich. In: Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin, Umweltmedizin, Jg. 50, H. 7, S. 515-521.

Abstract

"Ziel: Es handelt sich um eine vergleichende Untersuchung der Umsetzung der 'Rahmenrichtlinie der Europäischen Union (EU) über die Durchführung von Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit und des Gesundheitsschutzes der Arbeitnehmer' (RL 89/391/EWG) in verschiedenen EU-Mitgliedsstaaten im Rahmen der jeweiligen nationalen Gesetzgebungen hinsichtlich Gefährdungsbeurteilungen bezüglich psychischer Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz.
Methode: Sichtung relevanter nationaler Normen sowie offizieller Internetauftritte und weiterer Publikationen von nationalen Behörden, Gewerkschaften, Berufsverbänden und Unfallkassen verschiedener EU-Mitgliedstaaten.
Ergebnisse: Per Gesetz oder Verordnung sind psychische Belastungen in den meisten untersuchten Ländern im Rahmen von Gefährdungsbeurteilungen zu berücksichtigen und deren Nicht-Durchführung ist zumeist bußgeldbewehrt. Im Weiteren variieren die Vorgaben und Regelungen teilweise erheblich und reichen von empfindlichen zivilrechtlichen Konsequenzen bei Nicht-Durchführung (z. B. Frankreich) über eine hohe Transparenz bzgl. der Inspektionsergebnisse von Gefährdungsbeurteilungen (z. B. Dänemark) oder der expliziten Verpflichtung zur Bestellung eines Beauftragten für Sicherheit und Vorbeugung am Arbeitsplatz (z. B. Belgien) bis hin zur lediglich formalen gesetzlichen Verankerung ohne Sanktionierung bei Nicht-Durchführung (z. B. Ungarn). In Deutschland werden psychische Belastungen am Arbeitsplatz explizit in der Arbeitsschutzgesetzgebung berücksichtigt, die wiederholte Nicht-Durchführung der Gefährdungsbeurteilung stellt jedoch nur eine bußgeldbewehrte Ordnungswidrigkeit dar.
Schlussfolgerungen: Formal ist die Umsetzung einer Gefährdungsbeurteilung - teilweise auch bei psychischen Belastungen - in allen untersuchten Ländern normiert. Hinsichtlich der Folgen bei Nicht-Durchführung bestehen jedoch große Unterschiede und die Umsetzung der Regelungen in der betrieblichen Praxis und diesbezügliche förderliche und hinderliche Faktoren bleiben offen und stellen einen lohnenden Gegenstand weiterer Untersuchungen dar." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Abstract

"Der neue 'Bericht über die menschliche Entwicklung 2015' des Entwicklungsprogramms der Vereinten Nationen (UNDP) beschreibt die positiven Entwicklungswirkungen von Arbeit. Er zeigt aber auch, dass diese voraussetzungsreich sind. Unter dem Titel 'Arbeit für menschliche Entwicklung' fordert der Bericht angemessene Arbeitsbedingungen für alle und regt Regierungen an, auch den großen Bereich der Arbeit in den Blick zu nehmen, die außerhalb des Arbeitsmarktes stattfindet." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Vossen, Emmie & Nicolette van Gestel (2015): The activation logic in national sickness absence policies. Comparing the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. In: European journal of industrial relations, Jg. 21, H. 2, S. 165-180. DOI:10.1177/0959680114535310

Abstract

"We compare sickness absence policies in the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, examining whether and how the institutional logic of 'activation' that is paramount in Europe is understood and given shape in each country. They differ in their support for the underlying ideas of 'activation', and especially vary in the design of their governance systems, as can be seen in the allocation of responsibilities, the description of return-to-work routines and the use of regulative instruments. We contribute to institutional theory by demonstrating the important but often neglected role of national governance systems in the macro - micro linkage between institutional logics and organizational and individual behaviour. Since sickness absence is a major cause of workforce inactivity, the practical relevance of this study is the comparative reflection on recent policy developments to improve sickness absence management." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Webber, Don J., Gail Pacheco & Dominic Page (2015): Temporary versus permanent employment. Does health matter? In: Australian Journal of Labour Economics, Jg. 18, H. 2, S. 169-186.

Abstract

"Poor health may inhibit active participation in the labour market and restrict the types of employment available to an individual. This paper uses recent survey data from New Zealand and employs a bivariate probit approach (to address sample selection issues) for investigating the relationship between health status and employment type. We find that health issues (and in particular mental health) are negatively related to the likelihood of being employed; and entering full-time and / or permanent employment. The picture with respect to temporary work is a little more fuzzy, with mixed results, and only minimal evidence is found that poor health is positively related to being in temporary employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"Die zweite europaweite Unternehmensbefragung der EU-OSHA soll Arbeitgeber dabei unterstützen, sich intensiver mit Arbeitsschutzfragen zu befassen, um so besser und zielgerichtet die Gesundheit und das Wohlbefinden ihrer Mitarbeiter fördern zu können. Sie stellt politischen Entscheidungsträgern länderübergreifende, vergleichbare Informationen zur Verfügung, die auch bei der Entwicklung und Umsetzung neuer politischer Strategien von Nutzen sein können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Arends, Iris, Niklas Baer, Veerle Miranda, Christopher Prinz & Shruti Singh (2014): Mental health and work. Achieving well-integrated policies and service delivery. (OECD social, employment and migration working papers 161), Paris, 39 S. DOI:10.1787/5jxsvvn6pq6g-en

Abstract

"Mental ill-health can lead to poor work performance, high sickness absence and reduced labour market participation, resulting in considerable costs for society. Improving labour market participation of people with mental health problems requires well-integrated policies and services across the education, employment, health and social sectors. This paper provides examples of policy initiatives from 10 OECD countries for integrated services. Outcomes and strengths and weaknesses of the policy initiatives are presented, resulting in the following main conclusions for future integrated mental health and work policies and services: More rigorous implementation and evaluation of integrated policies is necessary to improve labour market outcomes. Implementation cannot be left to the discretion of stakeholders only; Better financial incentives and clearer obligations and guidelines need to be provided to stakeholders and professionals to participate in integrated service delivery; Each sector has a responsibility to assure integrated services in line with client needs, in turn requiring much better knowledge about the needs of clients with a mental illness; More integrated provision of services within each sector - e.g. through employment advice brought into the mental health system and psychological expertise brought into employment services - appears to be the easiest and most cost-effective approach." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Barnay, Thomas (2014): Health, work and working conditions. A review of the European economic literature. (OECD Economics Department working papers 1148), Paris, 32 S. DOI:10.1787/5jz0zb71xhmr-en

Abstract

"Economists have traditionally been very cautious when studying the interaction between employment and health because of the two-way causal relationship between these two variables: health status influences the probability of being employed and, at the same time, working affects the health status. Because these two variables are determined simultaneously, researchers control endogeneity bias (e.g., reverse causality, omitted variables) when conducting empirical analysis. With these caveats in mind, the literature finds that a favourable work environment and high job security lead to better health conditions. Being employed with appropriate working conditions plays a protective role on physical health and psychiatric disorders. By contrast, non-employment and retirement are generally worse for mental health than employment, and overemployment has a negative effect on health. These findings stress the importance of employment and of adequate working conditions for the health of workers. In this context, it is a concern that a significant proportion of European workers (29%) would like to work fewer hours because unwanted long hours are likely to signal a poor level of job satisfaction and inadequate working conditions, with detrimental effects on health. Thus, in Europe, labour-market policy has increasingly paid attention to job sustainability and job satisfaction. The literature clearly invites employers to take better account of the worker preferences when setting the number of hours worked. Overall, a specific 'flexicurity' (combination of high employment protection, job satisfaction and active labour-market policies) is likely to have a positive effect on health. This Working Paper relates to the 2014 OECD Economic Survey of the United States." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Evans-Lacko, Sara & Martin Knapp (2014): Importance of social and cultural factors for attitudes, disclosure and time off work for depression. Findings from a seven country European study on depression in the workplace. In: PLoS one, Jg. 9, H. 5, S. 1-10. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0091053

Abstract

"Objectives: Depression is experienced by a large proportion of the workforce and associated with high costs to employers and employees. There is little research on how the social costs of depression vary by social and cultural context. This study investigates individual, workplace and societal factors associated with greater perceived discomfort regarding depression in the workplace, greater likelihood of employees taking time off of work as a result of depression and greater likelihood of disclosure of depression to one's employer.
Methods: Employees and managers (n = 7,065) were recruited from seven European countries to participate in the IDEA survey. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between individual characteristics and country contextual characteristics in relation to workplace perceptions, likelihood of taking time off work and disclosing depression to an employer.
Results: Our findings suggest that structural factors such as benefit systems and flexible working hours are important for understanding workplace perceptions and consequences for employees with depression. However, manager responses that focus on offering help to the employee with depression appear to have stronger associations with positive perceptions in the workplace, and also with openness and disclosure by employees with depression.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of individual, workplace and societal factors that may be associated with how people with depression are perceived and treated in the workplace, and, hence, factors that may be associated with openness and disclosure among employees with depression. Some responses, such as flexible working hours, may be helpful but are not necessarily sufficient, and our findings also emphasise the importance of support and openness of managers in addition to flexible working hours." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Feuchtl, Silvia, Jürgen Figerl & Ines Grössenberger (2014): Arbeitsbedingte Belastungen und Stresserleben bei Europas Beschäftigten. Ausgewählte Ergebnisse des European Working Conditions Survey 2010. In: Wiso. Wirtschafts- und sozialpolitische Zeitschrift des ISW, Jg. 37, H. 2, S. 51-66.

Abstract

"Anhand ausgewählter Ergebnisse der fünften Erhebung des European Working Conditions Survey und einer Stichprobe von 29.000 unselbstständig Beschäftigten aus 27 EU-Ländern zeigt der vorliegende Beitrag Unterschiede im Stresserleben auf. Betrachtet werden einerseits Stressempfindungen in Zusammenhang mit aktuellen arbeitspsychologischen Forschungsfeldern wie Emotionsarbeit und soziale Unterstützung durch Führungskräfte sowie andererseits Unterschiede im Stresserleben je nach wöchentlichem Arbeitszeitausmaß, Arbeitstempo und Umgebungsbedingungen wie Lärm. Dabei zeigen sich - trotz unterschiedlicher Arbeitsbedingungen in den einzelnen Ländern, Branchen und Berufen - gewisse Gemeinsamkeiten, Strukturen und Mechanismen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Haar, Jarrod M., Marcello Russo, Albert Suñe & Ariane Ollier-Malaterre (2014): Outcomes of work-life balance on job satisfaction, life satisfaction and mental health. A study across seven cultures. In: Journal of vocational behavior, Jg. 85, H. 3, S. 361-373. DOI:10.1016/j.jvb.2014.08.010

Abstract

"This study investigates the effects of work - life balance (WLB) on several individual outcomes across cultures. Using a sample of 1416 employees from seven distinct populations - Malaysian, Chinese, New Zealand Maori, New Zealand European, Spanish, French, and Italian - SEM analysis showed that WLB was positively related to job and life satisfaction and negatively related to anxiety and depression across the seven cultures. Individualism/collectivism and gender egalitarianism moderated these relationships. High levels of WLB were more positively associated with job and life satisfaction for individuals in individualistic cultures, compared with individuals in collectivistic cultures. High levels of WLB were more positively associated with job and life satisfaction and more negatively associated with anxiety for individuals in gender egalitarian cultures. Overall, we find strong support for WLB being beneficial for employees from various cultures and for culture as a moderator of these relationships." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Houten, Gijs van, Jorge Cabrita & Oscar Vargas (2014): Working conditions and job quality. Comparing sectors in Europe. Overview report. Dublin, 60 S.

Abstract

"This report and the accompanying 33 sectoral information sheets aim to capture the diversity prevalent across sectors in Europe in terms of working conditions and job quality. The report provides a comparative overview of sectors and gives background information that enables the results presented in the individual information sheets to be interpreted. The information sheets indicate how each sector compares to the European average for all sectors, as well as highlighting differences and similarities among different groups of workers. The sectoral analysis builds on the overview report and secondary analyses of the fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS). The research highlights trends across sectors in terms of working time and work - life balance, work organisation, skills and training, employee representation and the psychosocial and physical environment. It identifies sectors that score particularly well or particularly poorly regarding four indicators of job quality. Finally, some light is shed on differences between sectors in terms of the health and well-being of workers and the perceived sustainability of work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Mastekaasa, Arne & Anne May Melsom (2014): Occupational segregation and gender differences in sickness absence. Evidence from 17 European countries. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 30, H. 5, S. 582-594. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcu059

Abstract

"Previous research indicates that women fare less well than men on a wide range of healthrelated measures, including sickness absence from work. Possible explanations are that women have -- on average -- less healthy jobs than men, or that they are more vulnerable to job-related stressors. We address these issues using comparative data on 17 European countries from the EU Labour Force Surveys. Employing logistic regression, we find that gender differences in sickness absence tend to increase if we control for up to 147 detailed occupational categories, thus indicating that women are, if anything, in more healthy jobs than men in most countries. We also examine to what extent the gender differences in sickness absence are systematically related to the gender mix of the occupation, e.g. whether women have particularly high sickness absence in occupations that are strongly male dominated. There is a tendency towards smaller gender differences in female-dominated occupations in a few countries, but in most cases the gender difference is of similar magnitude in female-dominated, male-dominated, and gender-balanced occupations." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Muckenhuber, Johanna, Nathalie Burkert, Franziska Großschädl & Wolfgang Freidl (2014): Income inequality as a moderator of the relationship between psychological job demands and sickness absence, in particular in men. An international comparison of 23 countries. In: PLoS one, Jg. 9, H. 5, S. 1-6. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0086845

Abstract

"Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether more sickness absence is reported in countries with higher income inequality than elsewhere, and whether the level of income inequality moderates the association between psychosocial job demands and sickness absence.
Methods: Our analysis is based on the Fifth European Working Conditions Survey that compared 23 European countries. We performed multi-level regression analysis. On the macro-level of analysis we included the Gini-Index as measure of inequality. On the micro-level of analysis we followed the Karasek-Theorell model and included three scales for psychological job demands, physical job demands, and decision latitude in the model. The model was stratified by sex.
Results: We found that, in countries with high income inequality, workers report significantly more sickness absence than workers in countries with low income inequality. In addition we found that the level of income inequality moderates the relationship between psychological job demands and sickness absence. High psychological job demands are significantly more strongly related to more days of sickness absence in countries with low income inequality than in countries with high income inequality.
Conclusions: As the nature and causal pathways of cross-level interaction effects still cannot be fully explained, we argue that future research should aim to explore such causal pathways. In accordance with WHO recommendations we argue that inequalities should be reduced. In addition we state that, particularly in countries with low levels of income inequality, policies should aim to reduce psychological job demands." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Peycheva, Darina, Ruud Wetzels, Agnès Parent-Thirion & Gijs van Houten (2014): Occupational profiles in working conditions: Identification of groups with multiple disadvantages. Dublin, 67 S.

Abstract

"Job quality indexes are constructed on the basis of such aspects of working conditions as earnings, prospects, working time, and intrinsic job quality. Occupations where job quality is consistently low are labelled 'occupations with multiple disadvantages'. This report uses data from the fifth European Working Conditions Survey to identify such occupations. It finds that workers in mid-skilled manual and low-skilled occupations do quite poorly when it comes to earnings, prospects and intrinsic job quality, and they report relatively low levels of both physical and mental well-being. However, their working time quality is generally good. In contrast, workers in high-skilled occupations do relatively well on almost all job quality indicators, except working time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Vendramin, Patricia & Gérard Valenduc (2014): A gender perspective on older workers' employment and working conditions. (European Trade Union Institute. Working paper 2014,03), Brüssel, 65 S.

Abstract

"This working paper aims to give a structured gender analysis of the working and employment conditions of older workers (aged 50 and over). While working and employment conditions are increasingly recognised as key issues in ageing at work, gender disparities do still not get enough attention." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Bryson, Alex & Richard B. Freeman (2013): Employee perceptions of working conditions and the desire for worker representation in Britain and the US. In: Journal of labor research, Jg. 34, H. 1, S. 1-29. DOI:10.1007/s12122-012-9152-y

Abstract

"This paper explores the link between employee perceptions of working conditions and the desire for worker representation in Britain and the US. We find that the distribution of employee perceptions of poor working conditions is similar in Britain and the US; similar factors affect the number of perceived poor working conditions; and the perception of poor working conditions is strongly associated with the desire for union representation. The nature of workplaces, as opposed to employees' characteristics, is the predominant factor determining employee perceptions of poor working conditions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Meyn, Christina (2012): Internationale Initiativen gegen psychosoziale Gefährdungen am Arbeitsplatz. (Hans-Böckler-Stiftung. Arbeitspapier 261), Düsseldorf, 36 S.

Abstract

"Die psychische Gesundheit in der Arbeitswelt stellt eine zentrale Herausforderung für die moderne Arbeitspolitik dar. Trotz der zahlreichen vorhandenen Instrumente und Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten werden psychosoziale Risiken am Arbeitsplatz nur selten angemessen ermittelt, geschweige denn geeignete Maßnahmen zur Arbeitsgestaltung umgesetzt. Dies liegt zu einem nicht unerheblichen Teil daran, dass in diesem Kontext bisher nur wenige gesetzliche Regulierungen existieren. Im vorliegenden Arbeitspapier werden daher einige internationale Erfahrungen und Herausforderungen bezüglich der Ermittlung und Prävention von psychosozialen Gefährdungen am Arbeitsplatz skizziert. Dabei werden insbesondere die drei grundlegenden Standpfeiler des Arbeitsschutzes in den Blick genommen: Die politisch-regulatorische Ebene, die Rolle der Arbeitsschutzaufsicht sowie die der betrieblichen Interessenvertretungen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2012): Sick on the job? Myths and realities about mental health and work. (Mental health and work), Paris, 210 S. DOI:10.1787/9789264124523-en

Abstract

"Jeder fünfte Arbeitnehmer leidet unter psychischen Erkrankungen. Drei Viertel der Betroffenen geben an, dieser Zustand beinträchtige ihre Produktivität und das Arbeitsklima. Das Buch wertet Daten aus zehn OECD-Ländern aus (darunter Österreich und die Schweiz) und kommt zu dem Schluss, dass es neuer Ansätze bedarf, um psychisch labile Arbeitnehmer zu entlasten." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Börsch-Supan, Axel, Martina Brandt, Karsten Hank & Mathis Schröder (Hrsg.) (2011): The individual and the welfare state. Life histories in Europe. Berlin: Springer London, 285 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-642-17472-8

Abstract

"Our health, our income and our social networks at older ages are the consequence of what has happened to us over the course of our lives. The situation at age 50+ reflects our own decisions as well as many environmental factors, especially interventions by the welfare state such as education policies, access to health care and many types of social protection from poverty relief to housing subsidies and maternity support. This book explores the richness of 28,000 life histories in thirteen European countries - ranging from Scandinavia to Central and Eastern Europe to the Mediterranean - collected as part of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Combining these data with a comprehensive account of European welfare state interventions provides a unique opportunity to answer the important public policy questions of our time - how the welfare state affects people's incomes, housing, families, retirement, volunteering and health." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Ehlert, Christoph & Sandra Schaffner (2011): Health effects of temporary jobs in Europe. (Ruhr economic papers 295), Essen, 21 S.

Abstract

"Over the last two decades, temporary employment has gained importance in the European Union. The implications of this development for the health of the workforce are not yet established. Using a unique individual-level data set for 27 European countries, this paper evaluates whether temporary employment is interrelated with self-assessed health. We find pronounced differences in self-assessed health by employment status across European countries. Furthermore, in the EU full-time permanent employed workers report the best health, followed by temporary and part-time employed workers. These differences largely vanish, when taking into account the potential endogeneity between employment status and self-assessed health. However, repeated temporary contracts have a significant negative impact on health." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Europäische Kommission (2011): Report on the implementation of the European social partners' Framework Agreement on Work-related Stress. SEC(2011) 241 final. (Commission staff working paper), Brüssel, 93 S.

Abstract

"This report analyses the implementation of the Framework Agreement on Work-related Stress, ('the Agreement'), which the European cross-industry social partners concluded as an autonomous agreement in October 2004 under art 154-155 of the TFEU. The report examines how this Agreement was implemented by national social partners in Member States, and what effect this had on national responses to work-related stress. It also reviews the current level of protection employees have from work-related stress. It examines policy developments and social partners' initiatives in each Member State, and highlights the value-added of the Agreement. However, it also identifies shortcomings in implementation, and limitations in workers' protection. Although there is now wide consensus that work-related stress is a serious issue, and despite significant progress, protection available to workers in Europe is still uneven." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))