Preventing Sickness Absence With Career Management Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Field Trial

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and increased risk of unemployment among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Presenteeism adversely affects workers' quality of life, leading to further deterioration of their health and affecting their ability to continue working. Unemployment is one of the most serious consequences for workers experiencing presenteeism. A worker's ability to work depends on the degree of mismatch between their health status and job demands and work factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected workers' experiences of presenteeism as well as their employment status. We examined the association between presenteeism and risk of job resignations and unemployment among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A prospective study of 27 036 internet monitors was conducted, starting in December 2020, with 18 560 (68.7%) participating in the follow-up by December 2021. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) was used to measure the degree of work function impairment.

RESULTS

The group with the highest WFun scores had higher odds ratios (ORs) for both retirement and unemployment for health reasons than the group with the lowest WFun scores. ORs were 2.99 (95% CI, 2.48-3.62; P < .001) and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.65-2.00; P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Workers with work functioning impairment are at increased risk of resignation or unemployment. Management strategies for workers with work functioning impairment are needed to reduce their disadvantages in employment.

Organisational and individual resources as antecedents of older nursing professionals' organisational commitment: Investigating the mediating effect of the use of selection, optimisation and compensation strategies

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate how organisational and individual resources are linked to older (50+) nursing professionals' organisational commitment, and to examine the possible mediating role of the active use of selection, optimisation and compensation (SOC) strategies.

BACKGROUND

Many healthcare organisations need to find ways to retain their older nursing professionals due to nursing shortage.

DESIGN

To test a set of hypotheses, cross-sectional survey data (n = 396) were used. Data were analysed using correlation analysis and partial least-squares structural equation modelling. STROBE Statement for cross-sectional studies has been followed in this study.

RESULTS

The results exhibited that both individual and organisational resources and the active use of SOC strategies were positively associated with older nursing professionals' organisational commitment. The active use of SOC strategies had a partially mediating role in the relationship between individual resource (career management self-efficacy) and organisational commitment. Similarly, career management self-efficacy partially mediated the association between organisational resources (perceived high-involvement work practices) and organisational commitment.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the retention of older nursing professionals, attention should be paid to both individual and organisational resources and the active use of SOC strategies.

RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

By providing opportunities to actively use SOC strategies and by paying attention to career management self-efficacy among older nursing professionals, nursing managers may influence the retention of the older nursing workforce. Similarly, supportive organisational practices can support older nursing professionals' career management self-efficacy and their organisational commitment.

Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions for Improving Absenteeism, Productivity, and Work Ability of Employees: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

To determine the effectiveness of workplace interventions and the most effective methodological design for the improvement of employee productivity, work ability, and absenteeism. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of workplace interventions was conducted (PROSPERO, CRD42018094083). The PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases were searched. RCTs from 2000 to 2017 and with employees (18-65 years) were selected. Then, intervention characteristics and work-related outcomes data were extracted. A total of 47 RCTs were included in the systematic review, and 19 RCTs (11 absenteeism, 7 productivity, and 5 work ability) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that the effectiveness of workplace interventions for absenteeism was -1.56 (95% CI, -2.67 to -0.44) and -2.65 (95% CI, -4.49 to -0.81) considering only moderate quality RCTs. In contrast, only a few studies of workplace interventions for productivity and work ability were included, which was insufficient for determining the effectiveness and best design for improving these work outcomes. The workplace is an interesting environment to reduce absenteeism, and individualized and counseling interventions with <10 sessions/total were the most effective workplace intervention methodological design for reducing the absenteeism of employees. Future high-quality RCTs that also consider health risks should be implemented to strengthen the results.