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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))

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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))

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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))

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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)

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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

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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))

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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

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Giménez-Nadal, José Ignacio & José 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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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)

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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))

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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)

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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)

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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))

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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))

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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))

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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))

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

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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))

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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)

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(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)

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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))

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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))

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(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))