Zitatform

Pirani, Elena & Silvana Salvini (2015): Is temporary employment damaging to health? A longitudinal study on Italian workers. In: Social Science and Medicine, Jg. 124, H. January, S. 121-131. DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.11.033

Abstract

"Working conditions have changed dramatically over recent decades in all the countries of European Union: permanent full-time employment characterized by job security and a stable salary is replaced more and more by temporary work, apprenticeship contracts, casual jobs and part-time work. The consequences of these changes on the general well-being of workers and their health represent an increasingly important path of inquiry. We add to the debate by answering the question: are Italian workers on temporary contracts more likely to suffer from poor health than those with permanent jobs? Our analysis is based on a sample of men and women aged 16 - 64 coming from the Italian longitudinal survey 2007 - 2010 of the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions. We use the method of inverse-probability-of-treatment weights to estimate the causal effect of temporary work on self-rated health, controlling for selection effects. Our major findings can be summarized as follows: firstly, we show a negative association between temporary employment and health that results from a statistical causal effect in the work-to-health direction, and does not trivially derive from a selection of healthier individuals in the group of people who find permanent jobs (selection effect). Secondly, we find that temporary employment becomes particularly negative for the individual's health when it is prolonged over time. Thirdly, whereas temporary employment does not entail significant adverse consequences for men, the link between temporary employment and health is strongly harmful for Italian women." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Rijs, Kelly J., Tessa N. Van den Kommer, Hannie C. Comijs & Dorly J. H. Deeg (2015): Prevalence and incidence of memory complaints in employed compared to non-employed aged 55 - 64 years and the role of employment characteristics. In: PLoS one, Jg. 10, H. 3, S. 1-16. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0119192

Abstract

"Objectives: To examine the association of employment status and characteristics with prevalent and incident memory complaints (MC) in 55 - 64-year-olds. Methods: Subjects were participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). Respondents with baseline data were selected to examine the association of employment status (n = 1525) and employment characteristics (n = 1071) with prevalent MC (i.e., MC at baseline). Respondents without MC at baseline were selected to examine the association of employment (n = 526) and employment characteristics (n = 379; working hours, job prestige, job level, psychological job demands, iso-strain) with incident MC (i.e., no MC at baseline and MC at three-year follow-up). Associations were adjusted for relevant covariates (demographics, memory performance, physical health, mental health, personality traits). Logistic regression was applied. Data were weighed according to gender and age of the Dutch population. Results: At baseline 20.5% reported MC. At three-year follow-up, 15.4% had incident MC. No associations were found between employment status and MC. Adjusted analysis revealed that individuals with high occupational cognitive demands were more likely to have prevalent MC. Conclusions: Middle-aged workers are equally as likely to experience MC as non-working age-peers. Among workers, those with cognitively demanding work were more likely to experience MC, independent of memory performance. Memory decline due to ageing may be noticed sooner in 55 - 64-year-olds performing cognitively demanding work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Schmidt, Jürgen (2015): Arbeiter in der Moderne. Arbeitsbedingungen, Lebenswelten, Organisationen. Frankfurt am Main: Campus-Verl., 285 S.

Abstract

"Ein mühsam erkämpfter Mindestlohn in Deutschland, Sklavenarbeit beim Bau der Stadien zur Fußballweltmeisterschaft in Katar, katastrophale Arbeitsbedingungen in den Textilfabriken Südostasiens: Die Errungenschaften der Arbeiterschaft und der Arbeiterbewegungen sind heute in vielen Regionen der Welt bedroht, noch nicht einmal in Ansätzen durchgesetzt oder in der breiteren Öffentlichkeit in Vergessenheit geraten. Ein Blick zurück in die Geschichte der Arbeiterinnen und Arbeiter, ihrer Arbeitsbedingungen, ihrer Verhaltensweisen und Werte, ihrer Lebenswelt und ihrer Organisationen macht deutlich, wie langwierig und kontextgebunden die Bemühungen des heterogenen Kollektivs von Arbeiterinnen und Arbeitern im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert waren, um in der Welt des modernen Kapitalismus ihre Interessen vertreten zu können. Zentrale Aspekte der Arbeitsgesellschaft im 21. Jahrhundert bekommen aus dieser Perspektive eine historische Tiefenverortung." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Steiber, Nadia & Florian Pichler (2015): Trends in work stress and exhaustion in advanced economies. In: Social indicators research, Jg. 121, H. 1, S. 215-239. DOI:10.1007/s11205-014-0633-7

Abstract

"The study examines trends in work-related stress and exhaustion between 1997 and 2005 among employees in 13 countries and aims to identify the social and market forces underlying these trends. We argue that investigating the degree to which workers perceive their jobs as stressful or exhausting (indicators of job strain) has advantages over studying perceived job demands (antecedents of job strain). Analysis of comparative data from the International Social Survey Programme revealed that job strain is fairly prevalent affecting about 30 - 40 % of the workforce. Patterns of change over time varied substantially across countries and occupational groups. In most countries work stress has not increased between 1997 and 2005, two notable exceptions being Ireland and Slovenia. Work-related exhaustion has risen to a significant degree in the Czech Republic, Denmark and Hungary. There was also evidence that job strain has declined among high-level managerial, professional and technical workers in some countries. The findings suggest that protective institutions may help to mitigate job strain while rapid economic development increases workers' risk of experiencing job strain." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Thunman, Elin & Marcus Persson (2015): Justifying the authentic self. Swedish public service workers talking about work stress. In: Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung, Jg. 16, H. 1.

Abstract

"This study is based on in-depth interviews with 28 Swedish public service workers. With the help of narrative analysis, we explore how the workers use language to explain their subjective experiences of work stress. Based on a three-level typology, this article examines: 1. the narrative elements in the workers' talk about their stress; 2. the narrative strategies they use in positioning or presenting themselves as 'stressed'; and 3. the function of the narratives in a societal context. The study shows the following main results: 1. the workers express feelings of shame when talking about their experiences of work stress; 2. they use justifying accounts, e.g. accepting responsibility for becoming ill; and 3. it is suggested that the public service workers' justifications reflect societal demands of being authentic and true to personal values, and that the dominating expressed value is about a public service ethos." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Verkuil, Bart, Serpil Atasayi & Marc L. Molendijk (2015): Workplace bullying and mental health. A meta-analysis on cross-sectional and longitudinal data. In: PLoS one, Jg. 10, H. 8, S. 1-16. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0135225

Abstract

"Background:
A growing body of research has confirmed that workplace bullying is a source of distress and poor mental health. Here we summarize the cross-sectional and longitudinal literature on these associations.
Methods:
Systematic review and meta-analyses on the relation between workplace bullying and mental health.
Results:
The cross-sectional data (65 effect sizes, N = 115.783) showed positive associations between workplace bullying and symptoms of depression (r = .28, 95% CI = .23 - .34), anxiety (r = .34, 95% CI = .29 - .40) and stress-related psychological complaints (r = .37, 95% CI = .30 - .44). Pooling the literature that investigated longitudinal relationships (26 effect sizes, N = 54.450) showed that workplace bullying was related to mental health complaints over time (r = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.13 - 0.21). Interestingly, baseline mental health problems were associated with subsequent exposure to workplace bullying (r = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.10 - 0.27; 11 effect sizes, N = 27.028).
Limitations:
All data were self-reported, raising the possibility of reporting- and response set bias.
Conclusions:
Workplace bullying is consistently, and in a bi-directional manner, associated with reduced mental health. This may call for intervention strategies against bullying at work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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

Wang, Jing & Frank Reid (2015): The impact of work hours discrepancy on employee absence. In: International journal of manpower, Jg. 36, H. 5, S. 668-693. DOI:10.1108/IJM-05-2013-0120

Abstract

"Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the discrepancy between actual and desired weekly hours of work on employee absence.
Design/methodology/approach: The authors used a nationally representative, employer-employee matched sample of over 39,000 employees and applied zero-inflated Poisson regressions.
Findings: Work hours discrepancy has a significant impact on employee absence. This impact is different among employees who want to work more hours and those who want to work fewer hours.
Originality/value: This study provides new insights into the determinants of employee absence and the implications of constraining employees in their choice of weekly hours of work." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Zeidler, R., H. Burr, A. Pohrt & H. M. Hasselhorn (2015): Arbeit und Gesundheit. Eine Übersicht relevanter Datensätze für Deutschland. In: Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie : mit Beiträgen zur Umweltmedizin, Jg. 65, H. 3, S. 149-160. DOI:10.1007/s40664-015-0018-z

Abstract

"Hintergrund: Fragen zum Zusammenhang von Arbeitsfaktoren einerseits und psychischer und physischer Gesundheit der Beschäftigten andererseits sind in Deutschland aktuell und werden weiter aktuell bleiben. Fragestellung. Inzwischen liegt hierzulande eine Reihe von Datensätzen vor, die Daten sowohl zu Arbeit als auch Gesundheit enthalten. Oft allerdings sind sie Wissenschaftler( inne)n, die in diesem Themenfeld tätig sind, nicht bekannt. Ziel des Beitrags ist, diese Datensätze systematisch vorzustellen. Material und Methode: Inhalt und Hintergrunddaten umfassender, zugänglicher, aktueller und für die deutsche Erwerbsbevölkerung repräsentativer Datensätze wurden 13 Hauptkategorien und 97 Unterkategorien zugeordnet. Ergebnis. Von 32 Datensätzen erfüllten 20 die Einschlusskriterien. 2537 Fragebogenitems wurden klassifiziert; 8 Datensätze haben den Schwerpunkt 'Arbeit', 4 den Schwerpunkt 'Gesundheit', 4 sind allgemeine Bevölkerungsstudien, und 4 sind europäische Studien mit deutschen Teilstichproben. Neben der tabellarischen Auflistung im Artikel steht Interessierten eine detaillierte Exceltabelle zu Verfügung (info-zentrum@baua.bund.de). Schlussfolgerungen. Die vorliegende Übersicht zeigt Fülle und auch Potenziale der aktuellen Datenlage zu 'Arbeit und Gesundheit' in Deutschland auf. Potenziale schließen die Verknüpfungen von Datenquellen ein. Es mangelt allerdings noch an landesweiten Kohortenstudien über das gesamte Altersspektrum des Erwerbsalters mit umfassender Erfassung von Arbeit und Gesundheit. Deren Potenzial für Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft lässt sich aus Nordamerika, Großbritannien, den Niederlanden, Skandinavien und Japan ableiten." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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

(2015): Fit mind, fit job. From evidence to practice in mental health and work. (Mental health and work), Paris, 173 S. DOI:10.1787/9789264228283-en

Abstract

"Menschen mit leichten bis mittelstarken psychischen Problemen - etwa Angstzuständen oder Depressionen - verlieren doppelt so häufig ihren Job wie Gesunde. Bis zu 50 Prozent aller neuen Anträge auf Arbeitsunfähigkeit gehen inzwischen auf psychische Probleme zurück. Das belastet nicht nur die Patienten, deren Armutsrisiko dadurch steigt, es ist auch ein Problem für die Wirtschaft. Schätzungen zufolge kosten psychische Erkrankungen Europa jährlich etwa 3,5 Prozent des Bruttoinlandsproduktes.
Der neue OECD-Bericht 'Fit Mind, Fit Job' fasst die Ergebnisse aus neun thematischen Länderberichten zusammen und erkundet, welche Wege Politik und Wirtschaft gehen können, um Menschen mit mentalen Störungen in den Arbeitsmarkt einzubinden oder dort zu halten. Er enthält etwa 60 Informationsblätter mit erfolgversprechenden Initiativen aus den betrachteten Ländern." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

(2015): Mental health and work: Austria. (Mental health and work), Paris, 179 S. DOI:10.1787/9789264228047-en

Abstract

"Die psychische Gesundheit der Erwerbsbevölkerung ist für den Arbeitsmarkt in OECD-Ländern entscheidend. Immer mehr Regierungen erkennen, dass Politik eine wesentliche Rolle dabei spielen kann, die Beschäftigungsmöglichkeiten von Arbeitnehmern mit psychischen Problemen zu verbessern. Ein erster Bericht der OECD benannte 2012 die größten Herausforderungen, vor denen Länder bei der besseren Integration von psychisch Erkrankten in den Arbeitsmarkt stehen. Die aktuelle Publikation beschäftigt sich speziell mit der Situation in Österreich und steht in einer Reihe von Länderanalysen zum gleichen Thema." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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(2015): Mental health and work: Australia. (Mental health and work), Paris, 71 S. DOI:10.1787/9789264246591-en

Abstract

"Tackling mental ill-health of the working-age population is a key issue for labour market and social policies in OECD countries. OECD governments increasingly recognise that policy has a major role to play in keeping people with mental ill-health in employment or bringing those outside of the labour market back to it, and in preventing mental illness. This report on Australia is the ninth and last in a series of reports looking at how the broader education, health, social and labour market policy challenges identified in Sick on the Job? Myths and Realities about Mental Health and Work (OECD, 2012) are being tackled in a number of OECD countries. It concludes that policy thinking in Australia shows well-advanced awareness both of the costs of mental illness for society as a whole and of the health benefits of employment. However, challenges remain in: making employment issues a concern of the health care services; helping young people succees in their future working lives; making the workplace a safe, supportive psychosocial environment; and better designing and targeting employment services for jobseekers with mental ill-health." (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

Bassanini, Andrea & Eve Caroli (2014): Is work bad for health? The role of constraint vs. choice. (IZA discussion paper 7891), Bonn, 28 S.

Abstract

"This paper reviews the literature on the impact of work on health. We consider work along two dimensions: (i) the intensive margin, i.e. how many hours an individual works and (ii) the extensive margin, i.e. whether an individual is in employment or not, independent of the number of hours worked. We show that most of the evidence on the negative health impact of work found in the literature is based on situations in which workers have essentially no control (no choice) over the amount of work they provide. In essence, what is detrimental to health is not so much work per se as much as the gap which may exist between the actual and the desired amount of work, both at the intensive and extensive margins." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Cabrita, Jorge & Darina Peycheva (2014): National working conditions surveys in Europe. A compilation. Dublin, 82 S. DOI:10.2806/7345

Abstract

"This report describes surveys in 15 EU Member States that meet two conditions: they are national, covering all or most of the working population; and they relate at least primarily to working conditions issues, such as health and safety at the workplace, work organisation, quality of working life and work - life balance. For each survey, a data sheet provides the main characteristics of the survey in a consistent template. These characteristics include the survey name, institute responsible, territorial scope, sectors and population covered, and sample size. Information is also provided on methodology, quality control procedures and contact details." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Cheng, Ting, Saija Mauno & Cynthia Lee (2014): The buffering effect of coping strategies in the relationship between job insecurity and employee well-being. In: Economic and Industrial Democracy, Jg. 35, H. 1, S. S .71-94. DOI:10.1177/0143831X12463170

Abstract

"The modern labour market features job insecurity (JI) as an unavoidable stressor. This study considers the influence of personal coping strategies by combining the conservation of resources with spillover theory. Do coping strategies buffer the negative effects of JI on well-being (work engagement, marital satisfaction and emotional energy at work and home)? A cybernetic coping scale distinguishes five coping strategies and a survey of 2764 Finnish employees reveals that changing the situation and symptom reduction buffer the negative effect of JI on emotional energy at work and home, respectively. Devaluation and accommodation have buffering tendencies in relation to work engagement and marital satisfaction. Thus, more engaged coping strategies reduce the negative effects of JI on employee well-being. Employees who use disengaged coping (i.e. avoidance) instead are less likely to remain engaged at work, such that frequent use of avoidance coping strengthens the negative relationship between JI and employee well-being." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Darden, Michael (2014): Workplace stress in the United States. Issues and policies. (OECD Economics Department working papers 1150), Paris, 19 S. DOI:10.1787/5jz0zb5t4532-en

Abstract

"Despite relative affluence, workplace stress is a prominent feature of the US labour market. To the extent that job stress causes poor health outcomes - either directly through increased blood pressure, fatigue, muscle pain, etc. or indirectly through increased rates of cigarette smoking - policy to lessen job stress may be appropriate. Focusing predominantly on the United States, this report reviews the literature on a variety of economic concerns related to job stress and health. Areas in which economists may provide valuable insights regarding job stress include empirical selection concerns in identifying the effect of stress on health; measurement error with respect to stress; the existence and magnitude of compensating differentials for stress; and the unique 'job lock' effect in the United States created by a system of employer-provided health insurance. This report concludes with a brief discussion of US policies related to job stress. This Working Paper relates to the 2014 OECD Economic Survey of the United States." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Day, Arla, E. Kevin Kelloway & Joseph J. jr. Hurrell (Hrsg.) (2014): Workplace well-being. How to build psychologically healthy workplaces. Chichester: Wiley, 338 S.

Abstract

"Workplace Wellbeing is a complete guide to understanding and implementing the principles of a psychologically healthy workplace for psychologists and other practitioners. Grounded in cutting-edge theory and research, it introduces the core components of psychologically healthy workplaces, including health and safety, leadership, employee involvement, development, recognition, work-life balance, culture, and communication. In addition to reviewing the theory and research for these principles, the contributors delve into practical concerns with coverage of best practices, case studies, and proven implementation techniques.
The contributors integrate both traditional and contemporary views of healthy workplaces, discussing factors that influence employees' physical safety, physical health, and psychological health. They also address important contextual issues, such as the role of unions, the importance of leadership, healthy workplaces in small businesses, respectful workplace cultures, and corporate social responsibility. Drawing together the leading scholars and practitioners from around the world, this book incorporates the latest theory and research, while providing practical examples and actions to effect organizational change." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Eichmann, Hubert & Bernhard Saupe (2014): Überblick über Arbeitsbedingungen in Österreich. Follow-up-Studie. (Sozialpolitische Studienreihe 15), Wien, 399 S.

Abstract

"Auf Basis einer breit angelegten Literaturanalyse u. a. mit Sekundäranalysen aus Repräsentativdatensätzen wird ein aktueller Überblick über Arbeits- und Beschäftigungsbedingungen in Österreich erarbeitet. Das abzudeckende Themenspektrum reicht von Beschäftigungsformen, Arbeitszeiten, Einkommen, Arbeitsorganisation, Gesundheit, Weiterbildung bis hin zu subjektiven Einschätzungen der Arbeitsqualität. Darüber hinaus erfolgt eine Einordnung Österreichs im europäischen Vergleich. Die Studie ist als Follow-up des 2010 publizierten Bandes 4 der Sozialpolitischen Studienreihe des BMASK angelegt. Im besonderen Fokus stehen die Entwicklung seit Ausbruch der Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise und damit einhergehende Veränderungen bei Arbeitsbedingungen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)