Productivity loss in the workforce: associations with health, work demands, and individual characteristics

The effect of lower limb osteoarthritis on work-related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Lower limb osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent condition that has a profound impact on an individual's life in several domains, including occupational activities. The objective of this study was to systematically describe and compare work-related outcomes (e.g., employment status, absenteeism, and productivity loss) in individuals with and without lower limb OA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five databases were searched until 17 June 2023. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they compared work-related outcomes between individuals with lower limb OA and healthy controls (e.g., people without OA or the general population).

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria of which two were included in a meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that individuals with OA were less frequently in paid employment than control individuals (odds ratio: 0.25; 95% confidence intervals: 0.12, 0.53). Evidence from single studies indicated greater absenteeism and presenteeism and poorer functional capacity in people with lower limb OA compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggests that individuals with lower limb OA have poorer work-related outcomes than those without OA. Low study numbers and lack of consistency in the way work outcomes are defined and measured make accurate quantification of the impact of OA on work challenging.Prospero: registration number: CRD42020178820.

Does higher education make women sicker? A study of the gender gap in sickness absence within educational groups

This study describes changes in the withdrawal of sickness benefits among men and women in Sweden over a period of three decades (1994-2018), based on administrative data. During this period there was a gender gap in the takeout of sickness benefits to women's disadvantages in all age groups as well as educational groups. The gap was particularly large between men and women with secondary education in the ages 30 to 39. The general gender gap in sickness absence is larger today compared to 1994. The development, after 2010, was mainly driven by a larger increase in sick leave among women with secondary education, both in relation to men with secondary education and in relation to women with both lower and higher levels of education. For women with secondary education, sick leave does not seem to vary according to age. Thus, in this educational group, women of child-rearing age are not more prone to take sick leave than other age groups.

Relationship between occupational stress and presenteeism status among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

This study aimed to identify characteristics of workers experiencing health problems without a decline in labor productivity to address presenteeism. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 554 workers in Japan, with a median age of 43 years. Participants reported any health problems in the past month, along with job stressors, stress responses, social support, and job and life satisfaction using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. They were categorized into three groups: "no symptoms," "pre-presenteeism" (health problems without work impact), and "presenteeism" (health problems with work impact). Results showed that 30.1% were in "prepresenteeism" and 52.0% in "presenteeism." Stress responses and social support were linked to both "pre-presenteeism" and "presenteeism," while job stressors and job and life satisfaction were only associated with "presenteeism." These findings offer insights for preventing presenteeism.

Work productivity loss and work-related factors during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional web-based survey

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic could have led to a technological revolution however it has caused work productivity loss, especially among people working from home.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the frequency and related factors of work productivity loss, focusing on work-related factors, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of Japanese workers. Questionnaires were distributed using snowball sampling through e-mail and social networking sites.

RESULTS

Of the respondents, 708 non-medical workers reported subjective work productivity loss during the first wave of the pandemic, compared with before. A multiple regression analysis showed that living with preschool-age children, having poor mental health, not using video conferencing solutions, and increased e-mail communication were related to work productivity loss. A subgroup analysis of those working from home showed similar variables associated with work productivity loss.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 70% of workers in Japan experienced work productivity loss during the first wave of the pandemic. Moreover, factors such as time-consuming tasks or background distractions might lead to operational inefficacy.

Lifestyle factors associated with presenteeism among city government office workers: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Presenteeism is a critical issue in occupational health. This study aimed to examine the association between presenteeism and subjective sleep quality, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

METHODS

Anonymous data of 777 workers in a Japanese city were retrospectively obtained from City Government Office A. They included variables like absolute presenteeism scores (measured using the Japanese version of the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire short form), gender, age, family status, subjective sleep quality, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed with gender, age, family status, subjective sleep quality, smoking status, and alcohol consumption as the independent variables, and absolute presenteeism scores equal to or below 40 as the dependent variable. A gender-stratified binary logistic regression analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The logistic regression analysis results revealed that absolute presenteeism was positively associated with poor subjective sleep quality among all respondents (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.18-2.44) and men (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.12-3.05) and with current drinkers among women (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.36-8.92); it was negatively associated with age among those who were ≥50 years old (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27-0.93) and with current drinkers among men (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The factors associated with presenteeism differed between men and women office workers, suggesting that gender differences need to be considered when working toward improving workers' productivity.

Presenteeism and Low Work Performance Among Fruit Farm Workers in Northeast Brazil

OBJECTIVES

The "decision" to go to work, or remain absent, when unwell undermines worker energy. I is therefore understandable that low work performance is one of the main consequences of the act of presenteeism. This study evaluated the association between presenteeism, and absolute and relative work performance among fruit farm workers in Northeast Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study investigated 340 paid employees of both sexes, aged 18 years or over, who worked during the 2019 irrigated fruit harvest in the municipality of Petrolina, Northeast Brazil. Absolute and relative work performance were measured using the Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Workers who answered "one or more days" to the question "How many days have you worked this season when you were injured or unwell?" were considered presenteeists. Poisson regression with robust variance models was used to estimate the prevalence ratios of the main associations, adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Presenteeist workers presented lower absolute and relative work performance than non-presenteeist workers according to the strata for most of the investigated factors. The associations between presenteeism, and absolute (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.31) and relative work performance (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.45) remained strong, even after multiple adjustments for other relevant variables.

CONCLUSION

Presenteeist fruit culture workers self-assessed their work performance as lower than non-presenteeist ones.

The Role of Infant Health Problems in Constraining Interneighborhood Mobility: Implications for Citywide Employment Networks

Infant health problems are a persistent concern across the United States, disproportionally affecting socioeconomically vulnerable communities. We investigate how inequalities in infant health contribute to differences in interneighborhood commuting mobility and shape neighborhoods' embeddedness in the citywide structure of employment networks in Chicago over a 14-year period. We use the Census Bureau's Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics' Origin-Destination Employment Statistics to analyze commuting networks between 2002 and 2015. Results from longitudinal network analyses indicate two main patterns. First, after the Great Recession, a community's infant health problems began to significantly predict isolation from the citywide employment network. Second, pairwise dissimilarity in infant health problems predicts a lower likelihood of mobility ties between communities throughout the entire study period. The findings suggest that infant health problems present a fundamental barrier for communities in equally accessing the full range of jobs and opportunities across the city-compounding existing inequalities.

Investigating Associations Between Physical Activity and Presenteeism - A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to scope the literature on what is currently known between physical activity and presenteeism.

DATA SOURCE

A search strategy was conducting in six scientific databases.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies written in English about the relation between physical activity and presenteeism were considered for inclusion.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data on definitions and measurement of presenteeism and physical activity were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The data is categorized according to the understanding of presenteeism of the studies to give a better idea of how this phenomenon is studied in relation to physical activity.

RESULTS

After screening 9773 titles and abstracts and 269 full-text articles, 57 unique articles fulfilled our eligibility criteria. The majority of the articles were published since 2010 and originated predominantly in the United States. Most studies (70%) define presenteeism as lost productivity due to health problems, according to the American line of research, whereas 19% of the studies define it as "working while ill" which refers to the European line of research. The studies that reflected the American school of thought tends to report more results that supported their hypothesis (i.e., that more physical activity is associated with less presenteeism).

CONCLUSION

This review has highlighted the homogeneity in how presenteeism is conceptualized and measured in studies included in our sample. Research on physical activity and presenteeism should be expanded across various disciplines in social sciences to respond to the needs that many researchers have expressed to promote healthier organizations.

The Validity and Reliability of the Workplace Culture of Health Scale-Short Form

OBJECTIVE

A positive workplace culture of health can have significant benefits for both employees and organizations. The objective of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Workplace Culture of Health (COH) Scale-Short Form.

METHODS

We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis on data collected from a sample of 12,907 employees across 14 organizations. We examined the construct validity of the 14-item short-form version of the Workplace COH scale and assessed its reliability using internal consistency measures.

RESULTS

Our confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the Workplace COH Scale-Short Form had strong model fit, indicating good construct validity. In addition, we found that all constructs had strong internal consistency reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that the Workplace COH Scale-Short Form is a valid and reliable way to practically assess workplace culture of health from the employee perspective.

Evaluation of the correlation between sleep quality and work engagement among nurses in Shanghai during the post-epidemic era

AIM

To examine the status quo and influencing factors of sleep quality and work engagement of nurses participating in COVID-19 during the post-epidemic era and to study the relationship between them.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional survey and correlational and predictive logic to determine the association between sleep quality and work engagement among nurses in Shanghai during the post-epidemic era.

METHODS

This design involved 1060 frontline nurses in Shanghai. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 scales were used for data collection.

RESULTS

This study found that the sleep quality of frontline nurses was impaired and the nurses with poor sleep accounted for 48.20% during the post-epidemic era. The work engagement of frontline nurses was at the medium level. Factors affecting nurses' sleep quality were the number of nurse night shifts, family support and nurse health. The factors affecting the nurse work engagement were monthly income, profession title, family support and self-health status. There was a positive correlation between nurses' sleep quality and work engagement.

Chronic diseases and productivity loss among middle-aged and elderly in India

CONTEXT

Chronic diseases are growing in India and largely affecting the middle-aged and elderly population; many of them are in working age. Though a large number of studies estimated the out-of-pocket payment and financial catastrophe due to this condition, there are no nationally representative studies on productivity loss due to health problems. This paper examined the pattern and prevalence of productivity loss, due to chronic diseases among middle-aged and elderly in India.

METHODS

We have used a total of 72,250 respondents from the first wave of Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), conducted in 2017-18. We have used two dependent variables, limiting paid work and ever stopped work due to ill health. We have estimated the age-sex adjusted prevalence of ever stopped working due to ill health and limiting paid work across MPCE quintile and socio- demographic characteristics. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and logistic regression was used to examine the effect of chronic diseases on both these variables.

FINDINGS

We estimated that among middle aged adults in 45-64 years, 3,213 individuals accounting to 6.9% (95%CI:6.46-7.24) had ever-stopped work and 6,300 individuals accounting to 22.7% (95% CI: 21.49-23.95) had limiting paid work in India. The proportion of ever-stopped and limiting work due to health problem increased significantly with age and the number of chronic diseases. Limiting paid work is higher among females (25.1%), and in urban areas (24%) whereas ever-stopped is lower among female (5.7%) (95% CI:5.16-6.25 ) and in urban areas (4.9%) (95% CI: 4.20-5.69). The study also found that stroke (21.1%) and neurological or psychiatric problems (18%) were significantly associated with both ever stopped work and limiting paid work. PSM model shows that, those with chronic diseases are 4% and 11% more likely to stop and limit their work respectively. Regression model reveals that more than one chronic conditions had a consistent and significant positive impact on stopping work for over a year (increasing productivity loss) across all three models.

CONCLUSION

Individuals having any chronic disease has higher likelihood of ever stopped work and limiting paid work. Promoting awareness, screening and treatment at workplace is recommended to reduce adverse consequences of chronic disease in India.

The impact of COVID-19 on relative health outcomes among healthcare workers in Canada

Although the COVID-19 pandemic increased stress and anxiety for most people, frontline workers have been particularly vulnerable. This article focuses on doctors and nurses and analyzes their perceived mental and life stress relative to allied healthcare workers. The study uses data from Statistics Canada's crowdsource initiative, analyzed within a multinomial logistic regression framework. Results point to increased stress among these workers. More specifically, results suggest that compared with pre-COVID-19, mental stress increased for doctors. In contrast, although mental stress did not increase for nurses, it remained poor, similar to that experienced pre-COVID-19.

Cervical and scapula-focused resistance exercise program versus trapezius massage in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance exercise in comparison with those of common exercise on chronic neck pain (CNP) to provide useful clinical guidelines for reducing pain or increasing cervical range of motion (ROM), upper trapezius tone, disability level, and quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

The subjects were randomized into a cervical and scapula-focused resistance exercise group (CSREG, n = 21) or trapezius massage group (TMG, n = 20). All groups received a 4-week, five times per week CSRE or TM program for CNP. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, cervical ROM, myotonometer measures (upper trapezius tone, stiffness, and elasticity), neck disability index (NDI), and short form-36 (SF-36) were identified as the primary outcomes.

RESULTS

Within-group changes in VAS, cervical ROM, myotonometer measures, NDI, and SF-36 were significant in the CSREG and TMG (P < .05). The between-group changes in VAS, cervical rotation, myotonometer (upper trapezius tone and stiffness), NDI, and SF-36 after intervention showed significant differences between the CSREG and TMG (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the CSRE program is effective in improving pain, cervical ROM, upper trapezius tone, disability level, and QOL in patients with CNP. More comprehensive studies with longer follow-up durations are needed to better understand the potential effects of the CSRE program in patients with CNP.

Investigation into the thermal comfort and physiological adaptability of outdoor physical training in college students

Over the last few decades, increase in global temperatures have led to a deterioration in the quality of open spaces, urban vitality, and public health. Strenuous physical training under hot conditions outdoors increases the potential for developing heat illnesses. It is therefore necessary to examine the relationships between human physiological indices, psychological responses, and outdoor thermal indices to predict and evaluate human thermal safety in hot environments. A 9-day experiment was conducted in September 2019, which tested the thermal comfort and cognitive ability of 1102 students. Their physiological parameters (Heart rate, Auditory canal temperature) were recorded before and after physical training. Results showed that there were significant differences in the thermal sensation vote before and after physical training. The classification of heat stress was modified based on the MTSV regression model and PET. The maximum acceptable PET was 23.0 °C before physical training and 21.7 °C after physical training. When PET ≥ 40.1 °C, a reduction in physical training intensity is recommended. When PET ≥ 45.7 °C, cessation of physical training should take place and sun exposure should be reduced to avoid health hazards. It is important to use the auditory canal temperature instead of the core temperature to calculate the physiological strain index (PSI). More than 15% of the subjects had a PSI ≥ 7.0 during the test. When the body is in a thermally neutral state (MTSV = -0.5- 0.5), PSI ≤ 2.0. When the MTSV ≥3.2, PSI ≥ 7.0, physical training intensity should be reduced, and warning information should be provided. According to the expected distribution of physical training time and rest time, it is recommended that the time of each physical training session should be within 30 min, with a resting period of more than 30 min in hot environments.

The relationship between sleep quality, neck pain, shoulder pain and disability, physical activity, and health perception among middle-aged women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sleep quality is an important physical requirement for a healthy life, and good sleep quality has been recognized as a significant component in physical and mental health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect sleep quality as well as the relationship between sleep quality and neck pain, shoulder pain and disability, physical activity, and health perception.

METHODS

We conducted surveys on 494 women between the age of 35 and 64 years. The study evaluated neck pain, shoulder pain and disability, physical activity, self-health perception and sleep quality with self-reported questionnaires in middle-aged women. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0.

RESULTS

The results showed that the more severe the neck pain and shoulder pain and disability, the worse the sleep quality was in middle-aged women and the better the health perception, the lower the sleep quality score was, indicating good sleep quality. Shoulder pain, self-perceived task difficulty, and health perception were identified as variables that affected the sleep quality in middle-aged women. The explanatory power of the model in explaining sleep quality was 22.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Worsened shoulder pain, self-perceived task difficulty, and negative health perception can affect poor sleep quality; therefore, it is necessary to develop health interventions for pain management and emotional and social support for improving daily sleep quality. To improve the sleep quality in middle-aged women, healthcare workers should consider the subjects' pain and functional disability, in accordance with their health perception.

A study of the impact of COVID-19 on construction workforce productivity in Malaysia

Purpose

This paper aims to study the reaction of construction project managers in coping with workforce productivity challenges that arise from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research via questionnaires targeting the project managers from G7 contractor companies in Malaysia was carried out in the data collection process. In total, 182 responses have been analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS software.

Findings

The research discovers that most of the construction projects and their workforce productivity were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, the strategies adopted by project managers in Malaysia and the ranking of strategies based on their effectiveness were indicated.

Originality/value

The findings of this research have contributed to a new understanding of the construction workforce productivity during the COVID-19 era from the perspective of project managers in Malaysia. A guideline established from the ranking of strategies would be useful to ensure the survival of the industry in Malaysia aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Body Mass and Income: Gender and Occupational Differences

This paper aims to examine the influence of body shape on income, which varies with gender and occupational structure in China. The data were obtained from the CGSS (Chinese General Social Survey) 2010-2017 Survey. The overall finding in this paper is that women and men face different body shape-income effects. For females, the obesity penalty is significant and is reinforced with increasing occupational rank. For men, the thinness penalty (or weight premium) is enhanced as the occupational class decreases. Body shape-income gaps are mainly caused by the occupational structure. Twenty-nine percent of the income gap between overweight and average weight women can be explained by the obesity penalty, 37% of the income gap between overweight and average weight men can be interpreted by the weight premium, and 11% of the gap between underweight and normal weight men can be explained by the thinness penalty. The findings also suggest that the effect of body shape on income consists of two pathways: body shape affects health capital and socialization, and therefore income. Healthy lifestyles and scientific employment concepts should be promoted, and measures to close the gender gap should be implemented.

Does the rise of robotic technology make people healthier?

Technological advancements bring changes to our life, altering our behaviors as well as our role in the economy. In this paper, we examine the potential effect of the rise of robotic technology on health. Using the variation in the initial distribution of industrial employment in US cities and the difference in robot adoption across industries over time to predict robot exposure at the local labor market, we find evidence that higher penetration of industrial robots in the local economy is positively related to the health of the low-skilled population. A 10% increase in robots per 1000 workers is associated with an approximately 10% reduction in the share of low-skilled individuals reporting poor health. Further analysis suggests that the reallocation of tasks partly explains this finding. A 10% increase in robots per 1000 workers is associated with an approximately 1.5% reduction in physical tasks supplied by low-skilled workers.

Comparative construct validity of three presenteeism instruments in workers with musculoskeletal complaints: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the construct validity of three presenteeism instruments, using health and economic outcomes as external references, among working persons reporting musculoskeletal complaints.

METHODS

Data from the prospective Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation were used. Presenteeism measurement comprised a global rating of work-ability, and two instruments indicating at-work productivity, and was assessed yearly over 6 years of follow-up. Longitudinal associations between measures of health and subsequent presenteeism, and between presenteeism and subsequent days of sick leave were assessed using generalised estimating equation models. The effect of groups of contextual factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle, personal and work-related factors) was investigated by assessing the change in explained variability.

RESULTS

In total, 4523 persons were analysed. The association between physical health and work-ability was stronger than both at-work productivity measures; 10 points increase in physical health (0-100, higher is better) was associated with 0.79 points (95% CI 0.75 to 0.84) better work-ability (0-10, higher is better) in the subsequent year. Besides, work-ability best predicted sick leave; one point higher work-ability was associated with 4 days less sick leave (95% CI -5.09 to -3.63) the subsequent year. Personal factors improved model fit for models on health and work-ability, but conflicting results were seen for both at-work productivity instruments.

CONCLUSION

Work-ability showed higher construct validity against health and economic outcomes as compared to at-work productivity, which shows that work-ability is different to productivity (losses). Personal factors are especially relevant when interpreting the relation between health and work-ability or self-reported quantity of work.

Fueling Work Engagement: The Role of Sleep, Health, and Overtime

With the current study, we investigate mechanisms linking sleep quality with work engagement. Work engagement is an affective-motivational state of feeling vigorous, absorbed, and dedicated while working. Drawing from both the effort-recovery model and the job demands-resources framework, we hypothesize that sleep quality should be positively related to work engagement via the replenishment of personal resources that become apparent in mental health and physical health. Because personal resources should gain salience especially in the face of job demands, we hypothesize that overtime as an indicator for job demands should strengthen the positive relationship between mental health and work engagement. We gathered data from 152 employees from diverse industries via an online survey. Results showed that sleep quality was positively related to work engagement (r = 0.20, p < 0.05), and that mental health mediated this relationship (indirect effect: β = 0.23, lower limit confidence interval = 0.13, upper limit confidence interval = 0.34). However, physical health did not serve as a mediator. Overtime turned out to be significantly and positively related to work engagement (r = 0.22, p < 0.01), replicating previous findings, but did not significantly interact with mental health or physical health in predicting work engagement. Overall, the study highlights the significance of sleep quality for employees' mental health and work engagement.

Investigating experienced supervisor incivility: Does presenteeism play a role?

This study investigated the role employees may play in making themselves targets of supervisor incivility. Drawing from Victim Precipitation Theory, and Conservation of Resources Theory, I hypothesized that engaging in presenteeism will be positively associated with experienced supervisor incivility, and that presentees’ experienced productivity loss will mediate this relationship. Furthermore, I hypothesized that presentees’ self-efficacy and perceived control (personal and condition resources, respectively) will each operate as boundary conditions of the presenteeism–productivity loss relationship such that presentees high in each resource will be less likely to experience supervisor incivility. I found that experienced productivity loss mediates the positive relationship between presenteeism and experienced supervisor incivility. Additionally, self-efficacy was found to moderate the presenteeism–productivity loss relationship; however, the relationship was stronger for low self-efficacy presentees, which increased the likelihood of experiencing supervisor incivility. Perceived control did not moderate the presenteeism–productivity loss relationship. I discuss the study’s implications for theory and practice.

Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating at the Workplace-A University Setting

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of social, cultural and economic factors may influence dietary patterns. This work aims to identify the main determinants of food consumption and barriers for healthy eating at the workplace, in a university setting.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 533 participants. Data were obtained through the application of a self-administered questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, food consumption determinants and the main perceived barriers for healthy eating at the workplace.

RESULTS

The respondents identified "price" (22.5%), "meal quality" (20.7%), and "location/distance" (16.5%). For women, the determinant "availability of healthy food options" was more important than for men (p < 0.001). The food consumption determinants at the workplace most referred to by respondents were related to the nutritional value. Smell, taste, appearance and texture, and good value for money, were also considered important for choosing food at the workplace. Respondents referred to work commitments and lack of time as the main barriers for healthy eating at the workplace.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of determinants involved in food consumption, and the barriers for healthy eating, may contribute to a better definition of health promotion initiatives at the workplace aiming to improve nutritional intake.

Development of a behaviour change workplace-based intervention to improve nurses' eating and physical activity

BACKGROUND

There is a critical need for an intervention to improve nurses' eating and physical activity behaviours. As nurses spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours at work, concerted efforts to deliver such interventions in the workplace is growing. This study formed part of a multiphase programme of research that aimed to systematically develop an evidence-based and theory-informed workplace intervention to promote changes in eating and physical activity among nurses.

METHODS

The intervention was developed iteratively, in line with Medical Research Council complex intervention guidelines. It involved four activities: (1) identifying the evidence base, (2) understanding the determinants of nurses' eating and physical activity behaviour change through theory-based qualitative interviews and survey, (3) identifying intervention options using the Behaviour Change Wheel, and (4) specifying intervention content and implementation options using a taxonomy of behaviour change techniques.

RESULTS

Data from 13 randomised controlled trials indicated that workplace-based behaviour change interventions targeted to this population are effective in changing behaviour. The evidence base was, however, limited in quantity and quality. Nurses' beliefs about important factors determining their eating and physical activity behaviour were identified across 16 qualitative interviews and 245 survey responses, and key determinants included environmental context and resources, behavioural regulation, emotion, beliefs about consequences, knowledge and optimism. Based on these findings, 22 behaviour change techniques suitable for targeting the identified determinants were identified and combined into a potential workplace intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

An evidence-based and theory-informed intervention tailored to the target population and setting has been explicitly conceptualised using a systematic approach. The proposed intervention addresses previous evidence gaps for the user population of nurses. Further to this, such an intervention, if implemented, has the potential to impact nurses' eating and physical activity behaviours and in turn, the health of nurses and the quality of healthcare delivery.

A longitudinal exploration of the relationship between obesity, and long term health condition with presenteeism in Australian workplaces, 2006-2018

BACKGROUND

Obesity and long term health condition (LTHC) are major public health concerns that have an impact on productivity losses at work. Little is known about the longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with impaired productivity.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with presenteeism or working while sick.

DESIGN

Longitudinal research design.

SETTING

Australian workplaces.

METHODS

This study pooled individual-level data of 111,086 employees collected in wave 6 through wave 18 from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. The study used a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) model with logistic link function to estimate the association.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that overweight (Odds Ratios [OR]: 1.09, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.05-1.14), obesity (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.31-1.45), and LTHC (OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 2.90-3.16) are significantly positively associated with presenteeism.

CONCLUSIONS

The longitudinal association between obesity and LTHC with presenteeism among Australian employees implies that interventions to improve workers' health and well-being will reduce the risk of presenteeism at work.

Interactive ergonomic risk mapping: a practical approach for visual management of workplace ergonomics

Current studies identify an increasing need to develop enriched tools for ergonomic risk management that can foster an atmosphere enhancing commitment of all stakeholders to create a safe and heathy work environment using ergonomic principles. In this study, a new tool for visualization of ergonomic practices in the workplace is proposed. For developing this tool, an interactive ergonomic risk mapping (intERM) methodology is introduced consisting of five steps while integrating the company's strategic vision and helping to accommodate the impacts of changes in policy and regulatory context, economic and demographic environment, technology and employment context. The proposed systematic and practical methodology is demonstrated on a real-life example. This visual and interactive tool enables prompt identification of and reaction to ergonomic risks, anticipating changes for reducing/eliminating ergonomic risks, as well as increasing company-wide awareness for ergonomic risks and enhancing engagement and ownership of stakeholders.

Association of long working hours and health-related productivity loss, and its differential impact by income level: A cross-sectional study of the Korean workers

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to explore the association between long working hours and health-related productivity loss (HRPL), due to either sickness, absenteeism or presenteeism, stratified by household income level.

METHODS

From January 2020 to February 2020, data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. A total of 4197 participants were randomly selected using the convenience sampling method. The nonparametric association between weekly working hours and HRPL was determined. Subsequently, a stratified analysis was conducted according to household income (1st, 2nd, and 3rd tertiles). Finally, the differences in HRPL of the different working hour groups (<40, 40, 40-51, and ≥52 hours) were investigated using a multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS

Long working hours were more significantly associated with HRPL, as compared to the 'standard' working hours (40 hours/week). A larger proportion of productivity loss was associated with the presenteeism of workers, rather than absenteeism. The relationship between HRPL and weekly working hours was more prominent in the lower household income group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study indicate that HRPL is associated with long working hours, especially in the lower household income group. Reducing the workload for the individual employee to a manageable level and restructuring sick leave policies to effectively counteract absenteeism and presenteeism may be a feasible option for better labor productivity and employee health.

Association Between Occupational Physicochemical Exposures and Headache/Eyestrain Symptoms Among Korean Indoor/Outdoor Construction Workers

Background

Headache/eyestrain symptoms are common health problems that people experience in daily life. Various studies have examined risk factors contributing to headache/eyestrains, and physicochemical exposure was found to be a leading risk factor in causing such symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of headache/eyestrain symptoms with physicochemical exposure among Korean construction workers depended on worksite.

Methods

This study used data from the 4th Korean Workers Conditions Survey and selected 1,945 Korean construction workers as participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship.

Results

Exposure to vibrations among all construction workers affected the moderate exposure group [odds ratio (OR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.32], the high exposure group (OR 1.77 95%CI 1.17–2.67), and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.02-2.55) and among outdoor construction workers, the moderate group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 15.4–28.48) and the high group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 1.56–27.98). When exposed to mist, dust, and fumes, the indoor high exposure group was significantly affected (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.07–2.47). All construction workers exposed to organic solvents were affected, high exposure group (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.15–2.49) and indoor high exposure group (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.08–2.89). The high exposure group in all construction worker (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.20–2.42) and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.17–2.89) also were affected by secondhand smoking exposure.

Conclusion

Many physicochemical exposure factors affect headache/eyestrain symptoms among construction workers, especially indoor construction workers, suggesting a deficiency in occupational hygiene and health environments at indoor construction worksites.

Important work demands for reducing sickness absence among workers with neck or upper back pain: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate what exposure to work demands, physical and psychosocial, is associated with lower levels of sickness absence among workers with neck or upper back pain in different groups, by age, gender, duration of sickness absence and work ability score.

METHODS

This study was a prospective study of 4567 workers with neck or upper back pain. Data on neck or upper back pain, work demand and work ability were obtained from the Swedish Work Environment survey over a 3-year period (2009-2013). Register data on sickness absence, 1 year after each survey was conducted, were obtained from the Swedish health insurance database. Analyses were performed to estimate the association between self-reported work demands and registered sick days > 14 days. The analyses were stratified for gender, age group and work ability score.

RESULTS

Lower numbers of sick days were found for workers reporting low exposure to lifting ≥15 kg and twisted or forward-leaning work postures. Lower numbers of sick days were found for workers reporting high work control and seated work. The associations were generally stronger in the older age groups for the physical work demands.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study suggest that certain physical work demands and having high control over one's work can result in lower sickness absence, especially among middle-aged and older workers with neck or upper back pain.

Who gains the most from improving working conditions? Health-related absenteeism and presenteeism due to stress at work

Work stress-related productivity losses represent a substantial economic burden. In this study, we estimate the effects of social and task-related stressors and resources at work on health-related productivity losses caused by absenteeism and presenteeism. We also explore the interaction effects between job stressors, job resources and personal resources and estimate the costs of work stress. Work stress is defined as exposure to an unfavorable combination of high job stressors and low job resources. The study is based on a repeated survey assessing work productivity and workplace characteristics among Swiss employees. We use a representative cross-sectional data set and a longitudinal data set and apply both OLS and fixed effects models. We find that an increase in task-related and social job stressors increases health-related productivity losses, whereas an increase in social job resources and personal resources (measured by occupational self-efficacy) reduces these losses. Moreover, we find that job stressors have a stronger effect on health-related productivity losses for employees lacking personal and job resources, and that employees with high levels of job stressors and low personal resources will profit the most from an increase in job resources. Productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism attributable to work stress are estimated at 195 Swiss francs per person and month. Our study has implications for interventions aiming to reduce health absenteeism and presenteeism.

Examining the Likelihood of Experiencing Productivity Loss and Receiving Social Security Disability Income Following the Onset of Chronic Disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to examine the likelihood of reporting productivity loss and receiving social security disability (SSD) income following a chronic health condition diagnosis using a longitudinal panel design.

METHODS

Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the likelihood of reporting productivity loss or receiving SSD following the diagnosis of arthritis, cancer, psychological problems, or heart conditions. Respondents reporting a new diagnosis of a condition were matched with five similarly aged respondents not reporting a diagnosis.

RESULTS

For all conditions except cancer, the odds of reporting productivity loss and receiving SSD increased at both the wave where the condition was first reported and 2 years after for respondents reporting a condition compared with those not reporting a condition.

CONCLUSIONS

The onset of chronic disease increases the likelihood of experiencing productivity loss and receiving SSD.

Embracing Causal Complexity in Health Disparities: Metabolic Syndemics and Structural Prevention in Rural Minority Communities

Chronic discrimination and associated socioeconomic inequalities have shaped the health and well-being of Black Americans. As a consequence of the intersection of these factors with rural deprivation, rural Black Americans live and work in particularly pathogenic environments that generate disproportionate and interacting chronic comorbidities (syndemics) compared to their White and/or urban counterparts. Traditional prevention research has been unable to fully capture the underlying complexity of rural minority health and has generated mostly low-leverage interventions that have failed to reverse adverse metabolic outcomes among rural Black Americans. In contrast, novel research approaches-such as system dynamics modeling-that seek to understand holistic system structure and determine complex health outcomes over time provide a robust framework to develop a more accurate understanding of the key factors contributing to type 2 diabetes. This framework can then be used to establish more efficacious interventions to address disparities among minorities in rural areas. This paper advocates for a unified complex systems epistemology and methodology in advancing rural minority health disparities research. Toward this goal, we (1) provide an overview of rural Black American metabolic health research, (2) introduce a complex systems framework in rural minority health disparities research, and (3) demonstrate how community-based system dynamics modeling and simulation can help us plow new ground in rural minority health disparities research and action. We anticipate that this paper can serve as a catalyst for a long-overdue discourse on the relevance of complex systems approaches in minority health research, with practical benefits for numerous disproportionately burdened communities.

Implementing sensor technology applications for workplace health promotion: a needs assessment among workers with physically demanding work

Background

Workers with physically demanding work may be at risk for injury, illness or other adverse health outcomes due to exposure to different occupational hazards, especially at higher age. Sensor technology applications may be useful in the workplace to unobtrusively measure and monitor work exposures and provide workers with real-time feedback or access to data on demand. Many aspects might impede the implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace, which should be taken into consideration for a successful implementation. Moreover, needs and preferences of workers regarding the use of sensor technology applications during work performance need to be identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify worker needs and preferences regarding the use of sensor technology applications in the workplace.

Methods

Four on-site focus group sessions were conducted in four different companies among workers with physically demanding work (n = 30). Semi-structured interview schedules were used to identify which work exposures should be measured, by which kind of sensor technology applications, under which (pre)conditions, how to motivate long-term use of sensor technology applications, and which type of feedback is preferred. For data analysis, a content-analysis with an inductive approach was performed.

Results

Participants mentioned that they want to use wearable sensor technology applications to measure and monitor physical job demands, occupational heat stress, noise and fatigue. Factors associated with quality, comfort and perceived ease of use were identified as potential barriers for implementation in the workplace. Long-term motivation was attributed to the ability to manage and monitor work exposures, positive feedback and data ownership. Participants indicated a need to both receive real-time feedback and access to data on demand.

Conclusions

Sensor technology applications may support workers with physically demanding work to measure and monitor their work exposures. Potential barriers for implementation such as privacy aspects and quality, comfort and perceived ease of use of sensor technology applications need to be well considered to ensure successful implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7364-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of the HealthMatters Train-the-Trainer Program on the Health and Health Behaviors of Staff Supporting Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The health status and health behaviors among support staff providing daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-SS) in community-based organizations (CBOs) have not been systematically studied. This study examined the health impact of IDD-SS workers who participated in a HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Certified Instructor Workshop followed by implementing a 12-week HealthMatters Program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that they care for as part of their employment. A total of 48 IDD-SS were enrolled into either an intervention (n = 28) or control group (n = 20). IDD-SS in the intervention group received an 8-hour HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Workshop immediately prior to teaching a 12-week HealthMatters Program for people with IDD. Assessments were conducted with IDD-SS before and after completing the 12-week HealthMatters Program to evaluate whether IDD-SS experienced any benefit of the training and teaching the program on their own health and health behaviors. Relative to the control group, the IDD-SS in the intervention group showed significant improvements in social/environmental supports for nutrition (F = 4.92, p = .032), exercise outcome expectations (F = 6.58, p = .014), nutrition outcome expectations (F = 8.87, p = .005), fruit and vegetable intake (F = 13.62, p = .001), knowledge of fruit and vegetable intake recommendations (F = 11.25, p = .002), and stages of change for eating fruits and vegetables (F = 6.86, p = .012). Results demonstrated that IDD-SS benefited from the health education programming. Findings support the need to develop programs and organizational policies for health promotion activities for direct care staff.

How do cardiovascular diseases harm labor force participation? Evidence of nationally representative survey data from Japan, a super-aged society

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how cardiovascular diseases harm labor force participation (LFP) among the Japanese population and verify the validity of plasma biomarkers as instrumental variables of cardiovascular diseases after adjusting for a broad set of confounders including dietary intake.

DESIGN

Using nationally representative repeated cross-sectional surveys in Japan, the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions and National Health and Nutrition Survey, with plasma biomarkers as instrumental variables for quasi-randomization.

SETTING

Onset of cardiovascular diseases in those receiving regular treatment for hypertension, intracerebral hemorrhage, intracerebral infarction, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, or other types of cardiovascular diseases.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 65,615 persons aged ≥ 20 years (35,037 women and 30,578 men) who completed a survey conducted every three years from 1995 through 2013.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Respondent employment and weekly working hours during each survey year.

RESULTS

Cardiovascular diseases significantly and remarkably reduced the probability of working by 15.4% (95% CI: -30.6% to -0.2%). The reduction in working probability was detected for women only. Respondents aged ≥ 40 years were less likely to work once diagnosed and the reduction was enlarged for those aged ≥ 65 years, while those aged < 40 years appeared to be unaffected. Probability of engaging in manual labor significantly decreased once diagnosed; however, no impact was found for cognitive occupations. Among employed respondents, the adverse effects of cardiovascular diseases decreased working hours by five hours per week. Validity of the biomarker instrumental variables was generally verified.

CONCLUSIONS

A vicious circle is suggested between LFP and unfavorable health. However, the effects vary across age, sex, and occupation type, even after adjusting for causal effects, which could cause a downward bias in LFP impact.

ATTRIBUTES

cardiovascular disease, labor force participation, instrumental variable method as quasi-randomization, plasma biomarker, Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, National Health and Nutrition Survey.

Musculoskeletal Pain Is Impacted by Job Tasks in Temporary Construction Workers Hired Through Construction Staffing Agencies

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Personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous work: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous or light work. We evaluated the course of perceived work ability from 31 to 46 years and examined the possible differences in the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability at the age of 46 depending on physical workload.

METHODS

The study population consisted of participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4420). Data were collected through questionnaires at 31 and 46 years. The main outcome was perceived work ability (0-7 = poor, 8-10 = good) and the main explanatory measures were physically strenuous work and personal meaning of work. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adjusted for unhealthy habits, number of diseases, job strain, social support at work, employment history and gender. They were also stratified for the strenuousness of work.

RESULTS

Perceived work ability decreased during the 15-year follow-up in both the strenuous and light work groups, and was lowest among workers with strenuous work. Perceived work ability remained poor or decreased in 22% of men and 21% of women in the strenuous work group vs. 14% and 13% in the light work group, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the participants in both groups who reported low personal meaning of work were at approximately a twofold risk of having poor perceived work ability at 46 years compared to the participants who reported high personal meaning of work.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived work ability was significantly lower and deteriorated more during the follow-up among participants with strenuous work. High personal meaning of work was important for good work ability, irrespective of the strenuousness of work.

Reframing HRI Design Opportunities for Social Robots: Lessons Learnt from a Service Robotics Case Study Approach Using UX for HRI

Over the last few decades, semi-autonomous machine’s technology started to promote awareness towards the importance of human–robot interaction (HRI) for improving daily activities. More affordable social robots are being commercially released and in order to implement viable applications of HRI, a combination human-computer interaction and user experience methodologies could play a pivotal role in assessing new scenarios and evaluating new investigations. However, literature shows that it is still challenging to reach an optimal user experience with robotic companions. The aim of the study was to determine the chance to enhance the user experience with a semi-autonomous social robot, using user experience and human–computer interaction methodologies. In this study, a social robotic companion has been developed and prototyped in order to be adopted in a specific public environment such as a company workspace. The challenges emerged from this peculiar environment triggered the need for a more productive and comfortable office for the employees, and, at the same time, the usability, acceptance and likeability of the robotic companion have been evaluated. The results emphasize that, since HRI is highly interdisciplinary, the benefits of combining approaches from other fields could positively benefit from a meaningful social interaction with the users.

Behavior Change Techniques in mHealth Apps for the Mental and Physical Health of Employees: Systematic Assessment

Background

Employees remain at risk of developing physical and mental health problems. To improve the lifestyle, health, and productivity many workplace interventions have been developed. However, not all of these interventions are effective. Mobile and wireless technology to support health behavior change (mobile health [mHealth] apps) is a promising, but relatively new domain for the occupational setting. Research on mHealth apps for the mental and physical health of employees is scarce. Interventions are more likely to be useful if they are rooted in health behavior change theory. Evaluating the presence of specific combinations of behavior change techniques (BCTs) in mHealth apps might be used as an indicator of potential quality and effectiveness.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess whether mHealth apps for the mental and physical health of employees incorporate BCTs and, if so, which BCTs can be identified and which combinations of BCTs are present.

Methods

An assessment was made of apps aiming to reduce the risk of physical and psychosocial work demands and to promote a healthy lifestyle for employees. A systematic search was performed in iTunes and Google Play. Forty-five apps were screened and downloaded. BCTs were identified using a taxonomy applied in similar reviews. The mean and ranges were calculated.

Results

On average, the apps included 7 of the 26 BCTs (range 2-18). Techniques such as “provide feedback on performance,” “provide information about behavior-health link,” and “provide instruction” were used most frequently. Techniques that were used least were “relapse prevention,” “prompt self-talk,” “use follow-up prompts,” and “provide information about others’ approval.” “Stress management,” “prompt identification as a role model,” and “agree on behavioral contract” were not used by any of the apps. The combination “provide information about behavior-health link” with “prompt intention formation” was found in 7/45 (16%) apps. The combination “provide information about behavior-health link” with “provide information on consequences,” and “use follow-up prompts” was found in 2 (4%) apps. These combinations indicated potential effectiveness. The least potentially effective combination “provide feedback on performance” without “provide instruction” was found in 13 (29%) apps.

Conclusions

Apps for the occupational setting might be substantially improved to increase potential since results showed a limited presence of BCTs in general, limited use of potentially successful combinations of BCTs in apps, and use of potentially unsuccessful combinations of BCTs. Increasing knowledge on the effectiveness of BCTs in apps might be used to develop guidelines for app developers and selection criteria for companies and individuals. Also, this might contribute to decreasing the burden of work-related diseases. To achieve this, app developers, health behavior change professionals, experts on physical and mental health, and end-users should collaborate when developing apps for the working context.

Analyzing psychological conditions of field-workers in the construction industry

The Korean construction industry has experienced poor labor productivity and high accident rates. Previous studies have reported that workers' mental health can cause negative impacts on work performance; thus, enhancing workers' psychological conditions would help achieve more productive and safer workplaces. This research aimed to understand the level of psychological conditions of construction field-workers using four categories: (1) stress (occupational stress and stress-coping style), (2) personal temperament, (3) emotional disturbance (depression and trait anxiety), and (4) drinking habits. This research used validated questionnaires commonly used in the field of clinical psychology, surveyed 430 respondents from road, bridge, tunnel, subway, and apartment construction sites in Korea, and analyzed the overall psychological tendency of construction workers with the collaboration of professional clinical psychologists using the Z-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and cross-tabulation. The research also investigated how the mental conditions differed according to different working conditions, such as demographic information, employment status, work types, work experience, and wage conditions. The results indicated that construction workers suffer from a high level of stress and showed high inclination for problem-focused coping: impulsive, cautious, and dependent on other people. Two out of five construction workers suffer from depression and experience trait anxiety. More seriously, three out of five workers show alcohol-use problems that require clinical attention. This study also revealed the particular psychological problems that occur under different working conditions. The findings can be used to promote the awareness of the importance of construction workers' mental well-being and to help in setting targets for improvement.

Effort-Reward Imbalance and Work Productivity Among Hotel Housekeeping Employees: A Pilot Study

This study explored the relationship between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) at work and work productivity among hotel housekeepers. A community-based approach was used to recruit 23 hotel housekeepers who completed the ERI and Work Performance Questionnaires. Work productivity was determined by combining self-report absenteeism and presenteeism. More than 40% of the participants reported high ERI (ERI >1). Also, 59.1% reported low work productivity. Interestingly, despite the individualized high reports of ERI and low work productivity, correlation analysis showed that high ERI was correlated with high presenteeism and work productivity as a whole. This is the first study to explore work productivity among this worker group. Despite the small sample size and the cross-sectional nature of the study, this study points to the need for organization-based interventions to not only improve employee health but also their work productivity.

The Associations of Multimorbidity With Health-Related Productivity Loss in a Large and Diverse Public Sector Setting: A Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate absenteeism, presenteeism, and total lost productive time (LPT) associated with multimorbidity.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 3228 state-government employees from Tasmania were collected in 2013. The validated measures of absenteeism, presenteeism, and LPT were obtained from employees' self-reported data over a 28-day period. Analyses were stratified by sex. Negative binomial models were used to estimate the associations between multimorbidity and LPT.

RESULTS

The average health-related total LPT was 1.2 (standard deviation [SD] = 2.4) and 1.7 (SD = 3.5) days for men and women with multimorbidity, respectively. Women (rate ratio [RR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8 to 4.9) and men (RR = 4.4, 95%CI 3.0 to 6.2) with 4+ chronic conditions were significantly more likely to report LPT compared with those without any chronic conditions.

CONCLUSION

We found multimorbidity is of concern within the workforce, with a positive association of multimorbidity and LPT observed, and significant differences in LPT between men and women reporting multimorbidity.

A Lower Level of Physically Demanding Work Is Associated with Excellent Work Ability in Men and Women with Neck Pain in Different Age Groups

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate which physical and psychosocial work demands were associated with excellent work ability in individuals with neck pain, and to investigate age and sex differences in these associations.

METHODS

The study sample was obtained from the Statistics Sweden cross-sectional Work Environment survey and consisted of workers who reported neck pain after work (N = 3,212).

RESULTS

The findings showed an association between excellent work ability and self-reported low exposure to lifting, twisted work posture, working with hands in shoulder level or higher, and leaning forward without support and combination of exposures containing these work demands. Low exposure to seated work and high demands showed a reversed association. The associations were present mainly among older workers and were generally stronger for men than for women.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that a lower level of physically demanding work is an important element to maintain excellent work ability, especially for the older worker with neck pain.

3D peak and cumulative low back and shoulder loads and postures during greenhouse pepper harvesting using a video-based approach

BACKGROUND

In agricultural field work many tasks have been cited as high priority risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). Although video-based biomechanical approaches have been effective in documenting the physical demands and risks associated with various occupational and non-occupational tasks, to date, this method has yet to be used to document jobs such as crop harvesting in a greenhouse environment.

OBJECTIVE

To document and assess the postural characteristics and 3D peak and cumulative low back and shoulder loads associated with greenhouse pepper harvesting using a video-based posture sampling approach.

METHODS

Nine male (28.2 (4.1) years) pepper harvesters from a greenhouse in Southwestern Ontario, Canada were videotaped during a normal shift. 3DMatch was used to document working trunk and shoulder postures, from which 3D peak and cumulative forces and moments were quantified.

RESULTS

On average, workers spent the majority of their time in neutral trunk postures (lateral bend: 99.1%; axial twist: 59.9%; flexion: 89.8%). Consistent results were found for the left and right shoulder, with the arms held in a neutral flexion posture 50% of the time or more. Four participants experienced peak L4/L5 compression forces (between 4116.3 N and 5937.0 N) which exceeded the NIOSH Action Limit (3400 N) during the cart pushing/pulling task, but remained below the threshold during picking. Mean cumulative L4/L5 extension and shoulder flexion moments ranged in magnitude from 18.5 Nm to 28.2 Nm, and between 19.4 Nm and 23.2 Nm, respectively, across all tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

The postural characteristics and biomechanical loads associated with greenhouse pepper harvesting were quantified with a video-based biomechanical approach. Further investigations of the physical risk factors for low back and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders is warranted in pepper harvesting, given the postures and loads documented in this study.

Impact on Employee Productivity From Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Evidence From a Multinational Firm in Sri Lanka

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the effects of 13 psychological and physical health conditions on work productivity.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-two staff at the headquarters of a Sri Lankan multinational firm completed a questionnaire asking whether they experienced 13 health conditions common in workplaces, and about their related absenteeism and presenteeism.

RESULTS

Most respondents (85.5%) reported absenteeism, presenteeism, or both. Among those reporting a health condition, 57.6% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 69.5% reported losing additional days to presenteeism. Among those caring for a sick adult or child, 57.3% reported losing days due to absenteeism, and 36.5% reported losing additional days due to presenteeism. Overall productivity loss was 10.43 days each year, 3.95% of employee capacity, equating to about Sri Lanka Rupees 8 million (US$54,421) for all headquarters employees.

CONCLUSIONS

The health conditions' effects on productivity significantly increased employee costs.

Associations between common diseases and work ability and sick leave among health care workers

PURPOSE

This study investigates whether common diseases, i.e., musculoskeletal diseases (MSD), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), mental disorders (MD), and respiratory diseases (RD), influence work ability and sick leave and whether lifestyle-related factors, and psychosocial and physical work-related factors are associated with low work ability and sick leave.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study among 8364 Dutch health care employees, self-reported information was acquired concerning common diseases, lifestyle-related factors, psychosocial and physical work-related factors, work ability, and sick leave. Logistic regression analyses were performed to describe the associations between common diseases with low work ability and sick leave, and to evaluate differences in associations between lifestyle-related and work-related factors with low work ability and sick leave among healthy employees and employees with common diseases.

RESULTS

Employees with MD (OR 6.35), CVD (OR 2.63), MSD (OR 2.62), and RD (OR 2.11) had a higher risk of low work ability compared to healthy employees. Workers with common diseases also reported more often sick leave (ORs > 1.60), in particular long-term sick leave (>25 days). Multimorbidity increased both the occurrence of low work ability and sick leave. Unfavourable psychosocial work-related factors were associated with low work ability and sick leave regardless of health status. Physical work-related factors and lifestyle factors were less consistently associated with low work ability and sick leave.

CONCLUSIONS

Common diseases, and foremost mental disorders, were related to both low work ability and sick leave. To maintain or improve work ability and prevent sick leave, interventions that promote a healthy psychosocial work environment are needed.