Work - Volume 75, issue 4

Authors: Sollerhed, Ann-Christin | Bringsén, Åsa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Appearance and body language are key components of non-verbal communication and play an important role in the service and marketing sector. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to explore experiences and perceptions of appearance issues related to work among employees in the marketing sector in Sweden. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 15 marketing and communication employees (five males, ten females), at multinational companies and a university. Thematic analyses were conducted, and content was organised in two themes with sub-themes: 1. Appearance from a resource perspective (Appearance benefits; Physical activity resources; Age benefits). 2. Appearance from a demand …perspective (Adaptation to gender roles; Investment in appearance; Adaptation to situation and culture). RESULTS: The findings showed that appearance was perceived as a resource for professionalism, work engagement and career in various ways. Appearance-related issues were not considered on organisational work level, but employees perceived unspoken demands to look good and appropriate to represent the company brand. The employees spent a considerable amount of time, money, and effort on appearance. CONCLUSION: Appearance creates dualistic questions and points out several dilemmas that the individual struggle to solve, which creates stress in work. The character of unspoken demands on appearance and absent communication on organisational level make the stress-coping strategies complicated and the stress coping is mostly left for the individual to handle. A gender difference shows that compared to men, women more often experience negative stress generated by appearance-related issues in work. Education and actions at the managerial level of companies are needed. Show more

Keywords: Body image, job satisfaction, coping strategy, dressing, work engagement

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220307

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1231-1242, 2023

Authors: Pietsch, Aki | Schroeder, Jan | Dalichau, Stefan | Reer, Rüdiger | Engel, Daniel | Wahl-Wachendorf, Anette | Solbach, Thomas | Edler, Christopher | Riepenhof, Helge

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Working with lifting and carrying heavy loads and kneeling postures with crawling, squats or heel seat position lead to progressive cartilage wear with premature degenerative changes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the exercise based multimodal ‘knee college’ and its sustainability in patients with knee osteoarthritis with data assessments before and after a starter course, before a 1-year and a 2-year follow-up refresher course in a retrospective observational study. METHODS: A sample of 401 male patients (ICD10: M17 [arthrosis of knee]/ICF: s75011 [knee joint]) from the construction industries were assessed with Western Ontario and McMaster …Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), EuroQol (EQ-5D), Performance Assessment Capacity Testing (PACT), Isokinetic torque H/Q ratio and Physical Work Capacity Test (PWC). Retrospectively, after two years they were divided into three groups based on their intermediate sporting activity: gym (n  = 194, age: 50.8±7.0, BMI: 28.8±4,3), home training (n  = 110, age: 50.2±7.0, BMI: 28.4±4,2), no exercising (n  = 97, age: 48.2±7.0, BMI: 29.2±4,6). RESULTS: Patients did not differ significantly in their demographic and anthropometric data prior to the rehab program. Significant interaction effects indicated group-dependent differing sustainability effects for the 2-year follow-up (all outcomes: p  < 0.001, except for H/Q ratio: p  = 0.03). Group-wise analyses revealed significant acute improvements (after 3-week in-patient starter rehab program: p  < 0.05) for all groups in almost all outcomes (except the ‘no sport’ group, H/Q ratio p  = 0.08). These effects remained significant (p  < 0.001) only for the ‘gym’ group during the 1-year and 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that 2-year sustainability of acute rehabilitation starter effects was demonstrated especially for patients with adherence and compliance to long-term gym based exercises. Show more

Keywords: Strength training, early intervention, prevention, workers

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205264

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1243-1253, 2023

Authors: Rothmore, Paul | Hewitt, Tony | Dickson, Cameron | Nguyen, Tam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Manual handling injuries amongst physiotherapists are common and the need to improve our understanding of causal influences is imperative. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether intra-shift variations in manual handling task performance occurred in our cohort, which may inform mechanisms underpinning related injuries. METHODS: We used motion capture, force plate dynamics and electromyography to identify variations in task performance, loading forces and muscle activity, during the performance of one static and one dynamic standardized manual handling task, pre- and post-shift, by 40 physiotherapists. Participants also rated their pain and fatigue on a visual analogue …scale (VAS). Statistical analysis utilised paired samples Student’s t tests. RESULTS: Significant differences were seen in the EMG activity in the quadriceps during the static task only. No significant differences were seen for any of the kinematic variables. Significant differences in fatigue (p  < 0.005) were seen between the pre- and post-shift sessions. Notably, there were significant differences in pain between the pre- and post-shift sessions in the static (p  < 0.01) and dynamic tasks (p  < 0.05). This increase in pain was at a level which impacted on function. CONCLUSION: Whilst significant variations in task performance were not observed, our findings indicate that physiotherapists frequently experience task-related pain towards the end of their shift. Contemporary research indicates that frequent transient low back pain may transition to a chronic disabling condition, as such we posit that the effects of intra-shift pain, and its causative factors, should be more widely considered in a ‘whole-of-job’ approach to mitigating risk in this demographic. Show more

Keywords: Manual handling, prevention, musculoskeletal, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220041

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1255-1264, 2023

Authors: Barajas-Bustillos, Manuel A. | Maldonado-Macías, Aidé Aracely | Serrano-Rosa, Miguel Angel | Hernandez-Arellano, Juan Luis | Llamas-Alonso, Luis | Balderrama-Armendariz, Omar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Today’s work environments have high cognitive demands, and mental workload is one of the main causes of work stress, human errors, and accidents. While several mental workload studies have compared the mental workload perceived by groups of experienced participants to that perceived by novice groups, no comparisons have been made between the same individuals performing the same tasks at different times. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to compare NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) to Workload Profile (WP) in terms of their sensitivity. The comparison considers the impact of experience and task differentiation in the same individual once a …degree of experience has been developed in the execution of the same tasks. It also considers the acceptability and intrusivity of the techniques. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 participants who performed four tasks in two sessions. The first session was performed when participants had no experience; the second session was performed after a time of practice. Mental workload was assessed after each session. Statistical methods were used to compare the results. RESULTS: The NASA-TLX proved to be more sensitive to experience, while the WP showed greater sensitivity to task differentiation. In addition, while both techniques featured a similar degree of intrusivity, the NASA-TLX received greater acceptability. CONCLUSION: The acceptability of WP is low due to the high complexity of its dimensions and clarifying explanations of these may be necessary to increase acceptability. Future research proposals should be expanded to consider mental workload when designing work environments in current manufacturing environments. Show more

Keywords: Cognition, workplace, mental tasks, manufacturing

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211324

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1265-1275, 2023

Authors: Poulsen, Anne Grøndahl | Rolving, Nanna | Hubeishy, Maja Husted | Ørtenblad, Lisbeth

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Return-to-work processes involve many stakeholders who need to cooperate to best support the person on sick leave. Yet, there is little knowledge of how workers sick listed due to back pain experience navigating between stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore how Danish workers on sick leave due to back pain experience navigating between the involved stakeholders, focusing on settings related to social work, health care and workplace. METHODS: Sixteen individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and data analysed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Analysis resulted in three themes. 1) ‘Meeting the system’ …where establishing a positive relationship with the social worker was hampered by a negative perception of the job centre. This perception was initiated by the convening letter and accentuated by physical meetings being experienced as a waste of time. 2) In ‘Navigating between systems’ some participants lacked support from professionals to navigate the role as messenger between the job centre and health care system. 3) In ‘The workplace–a familiar arena’ workers experience the workplace as a familiar arena, even if negative decisions were made. Analysis additionally revealed that patients’ return-to-work processes could be divided into two types, namely complex and smooth. CONCLUSION: The initial contact from the job centre seems pivotal for the following return-to-work process. The main challenges experienced by sick listed workers were related to the job centre and to being a messenger between job centre and health care, not to their workplace and the decisions made there. Show more

Keywords: Occupational rehabilitation, social work, health care, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220309

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1277-1287, 2023

Authors: Argus, Martin | Pääsuke, Mati

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Using a laptop for work is gaining rapid popularity, but there is little evidence of how it influences musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of upper body MSDs and functional characteristics of the neck between office workers using a laptop or desktop computer. METHODS: A total of 110 office workers with a mean age of 41±10 years participated. 45 office workers (73% female) used a laptop and 65 office workers (86% female) used desktop computers. The prevalence of MSDs was recorded …using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Active range of motion (AROM), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) force, joint position error (JPE), and pain-pressure threshold (PPT) of the neck and shoulder area were measured. RESULTS: Laptop users experienced significantly more MSDs in the right shoulder area on the day of participation (p  < 0.001, OR = 4.47), during the previous 7 days (p  < 0.01, OR = 3.74), and at 6 months (p  < 0.01, OR = 3.57). Laptop users also experienced significantly more MSDs in the left shoulder during the previous 7 days (p  < 0.05, OR = 2.44). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area between the groups. CONCLUSION: Using the laptop computer for office work may pose a higher risk of developing MSDs in the right shoulder area, but might not have long-term effects on the functional characteristics of the neck and shoulder area. Show more

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain, range of motion, muscle strength, proprioception, nociception

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220080

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1289-1299, 2023

Authors: Sokolov, Volodymyr | Sevriukov, Denys G. | Rudyak, Vladimira O. | Dmytro, Mykolaiets | Tarakan, Yuliya I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: EU law states that protection against discrimination arising in employment and employment extends to all grounds provided for by non-discrimination directives adopted in 2000. The scientists have found that the level of discrimination has significant differences depending on the country, as well as in relation to different minority groups. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has consolidated the status of an influential international court and by its decisions can affect the field of employment and at the moment plays the role of an extremely important figure in the development of human rights in Europe and abroad. …OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this research is to study the practice of ECtHR to combat discrimination in employment and employment relations, because today discrimination, despite its ban at the national and international levels, remains in almost all spheres of public life and hinders the provision of equal rights. In its case-law, the Court has developed arguments concerning the direct protection of human rights, its fundamental freedoms, where discrimination is prohibited in all spheres of public relations. METHODS: The main method of research was a historical, legal, theoretical and comparative analysis of ECtHR practice. RESULTS: The previous allocation of discrimination in this area on the basis of race and gender was significantly expanded by issues of gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, which is caused by the development of social relations in the labor market. CONCLUSION: The article highlights measures aimed at combating and predisposing discrimination in the field of employment. Show more

Keywords: Discrimination, ECtHR, employment, international court, judicial practice

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220279

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1301-1308, 2023

Authors: Pagdhune, Avinash | Kashyap, Rekha | SivaPerumal, P. | Balachandar, Rakesh | Viramgami, Ankit | Sarkar, Kamalesh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vehicular emissions on long-term exposure predispose metropolitan bus drivers to cardiorespiratory ailments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiorespiratory risk of urban metropolitan bus drivers related to vehicular emission exposure. METHODS: Bus drivers (with service >5 years, n  = 254) and their administrative controls (primarily engaged in indoor white collared jobs, n  = 73) were recruited. Demographic, occupational and clinical details were collected through pre-validated standardized format. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and lipid profile were carried out with standard protocol. Risk for cardiovascular events for preceding 10-years was estimated with WHO/ISH risk prediction chart and QRISK3 score. Exposure assessments …for particulate matter (PM) were performed for both groups while duty hours. RESULTS: Exposure of drivers to PM2.5 six times and PM10 five times higher in comparison to administration staff (PM2.5 - 970.9 v/s 145.0μ g/m3 TWA and PM10 - 1111.7 v/s 233.8μ g/m3 TWA). Bus drivers exhibited significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (dyspnea-25% v/s 6.8% and cough-20.1% v/s 9.8%) and compromised PFT (obstructive–21% v/s 5.7% and restrictive–4.2% v/s 2.9%) in comparison to controls. Multivariate regression statistics reveal a significant decline for FEV1 /FVC and FEV25–75 % among bus drivers compared to controls, controlling the influence of physiological and environmental factors. The difference between predicted cardiac age and their respective chronological age was twice higher (8.3 v/s 4.3 years) among drivers compared to their administration staff. CONCLUSION: Bus drivers were exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants. Further, the drivers exhibited higher risk for ischemic attack and obstructive airway diseases as compared to administration staff. Show more

Keywords: Particulate matter exposure, ischemic heart disease risk, pulmonary function test (PFT), traffic-related air pollution

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220189

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1309-1318, 2023

Authors: Vijayakumar, Kamala | Raman Jagadeeswaran, Keerthi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The majority of Indians prefer to drive by two-wheeler. Hands are the most important interface between the rider and bike while riding a motorbike. The vibration is transferred to the physical structure by the handlebar as it travels. Long-term exposure to the vibrations may have an impact on various bodily structures. OBJECTIVE: To measure and analyse the human exposure to vibration in the hand-arm system while riding a motorcycle using a vibrometer. METHODS: The several types of bikes based on their cc’s were evaluated in three different road conditions during this investigation (tar road, concrete …road, and gravel road). The subjective and quantitative data of each participant were recorded. The RMS A(8) values were supported for every combination of motorcycles and road conditions, and vibration intensity was evaluated using a tri-axial vibrometer. RESULTS: The exposure limit value for daily vibration exposure is 5 m/s2 according to the UK Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 standards.This study suggests that the bike with the least amount of vibration be used to prevent hand-arm vibration (HAV) syndrome. This study found that bike C had the least vibration across all three types of roads, which will benefit riders by reducing health issues as they ride. Therefore, it is further examined utilising the Taguchi method with various bike C age groups. Bike C with the lowest age had the least vibration when different bike C ages were compared, hence it was recommended for riding. CONCLUSION: The vibration level of each bike has a huge impact, which was measured using a tri-axial vibrometer. According to the results, bike C has the least vibration across three distinct types of roads and also provides riders with less health issues while riding bikes. As a result, a moped can drive in three different road circumstances with the least amount of vibration, delivering comfort and safety while lowering vibration levels. Show more

Keywords: Hand-arm vibration syndrome, long-term exposure, ergonomics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220269

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1319-1330, 2023

Authors: Bilgin, Nurcan | Kutlu, Adalet

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While individuals’ thoughts and behaviors are shaped according to their environment’s cultural characteristics, the managers’ values also shape organizational culture. Therefore, the concepts of person–organization fit and person–job fit can also be affected by the managers’ culture. OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to examine the relationships between organization, job fit and cultural values of nurse managers working in university hospitals in Turkey. METHODS: This research is a cross-sectional analytical study. The research sample comprised 391 nurse managers working in the 20 university hospitals in Turkey. The research data were collected via an information form, individual cultural …values scale, person–organization fit scale (POFS), and person–job fit scale (PJFS). Descriptive statistics were computed to define demographic characteristics. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between numeric variables. RESULTS: The means of the nurse managers’ power distance, uncertainty avoidance, collectivism, masculinity, long-term orientation scores were 3.03, 5.98, 5.34, 3.02, and 5.60, respectively. The means of the nurse managers’ POFS and PJFS scores were 3.33 and 4.13, respectively. There was a positive relationship among power distance and long-term orientation dimensions and person–organization fit, while there was a negative relationship between the masculinity dimension and person–job fit (p  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the nurse managers’ individual cultural values were related to the organization and job fit. In this context, it is worth considering the individuals’ cultural values in nurse recruitment and selection processes. Show more

Keywords: Culture, nursing, organization fit, job fit, Hofstede

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220152

Citation: Work, vol. 75, no. 4, pp. 1331-1340, 2023