1.
Bonde, J. P. E., et al.
(author)
Occupational risk of COVID-19 across pandemic waves: a two-year national follow-up study of hospital admissions
2022
In: Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 48:8, s. 672-677
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Objective Assuming that preventive measures to mitigate viral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the workplace may have been improved in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined the occupational risk of COVID-19 related hospital admission across the four pandemic waves in Denmark between week 8, 2020, and week 50, 2021. Methods The study included 4416 cases of COVID-19 related hospital admissions among 2.4 million Danish employees aged 20-69 with follow-up in 2020 through 2021. At-risk industrial sectors and a reference population were defined a priory by a job-exposure matrix on occupational risk for COVID-19. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and potential effect modification by pandemic wave were computed with Poisson regression adjusted for demographic, social and health factors including completed COVID-19 vaccination. Results We observed an overall elevated relative risk in four of six at-risk industrial sectors, but the pandemic wave only modified the risk among healthcare employees, where the excess risk from a high initial level declined to background levels during the latest waves in models not adjusting for COVID-19 vaccination. In social care, education and transport, the elevated risk was not modified by pandemic wave. Conclusion Danish healthcare employees were to some extent protected against occupational transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the two last pandemic waves even though the absolute risk conferred by occupation may not have been eliminated. Early vaccination of this group seems not to be the only explanation. The risk in other sectors remained elevated indicating a need to revisit preventive measures.
2.
Nagel, Cicilia, et al.
(author)
Nurses’ Work Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Person-Centred Practice : A Systematic Review
2022
In: Sustainability. - : MDPI AG. - 2071-1050. ; 14:10, s. 1-36
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
The work environment and especially the psychosocial work environment influence the mental and physical well-being of employees. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the state of knowledge regarding nurses’ work situation, health, and person-centred work during the COVID-19 pandemic through a systematic review. Methods: Systematic Review, nine included articles. The theoretical swAge model was used as the framework in a deductive content analysis. Results: The result was presented in the nine determinate areas from the swAge model and showed that all nine determinate areas of the swAge model were of importance to both the nurses’ sustainable work situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and to person-centred care. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on nurses’ health, both physically but especially psychologically, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Nurses experienced a lack of control and support from organizations. They had to work with limited resources and sometimes care for patients beyond their expertise. Conclusion: There is a further need for more studies that address person-centredness from an organisational perspective with the intention to develop strategies and measure activities on how to make the nurses’ work situation more sustainable, and to increase their ability to give more person-centred care.
3.
Nilsson, Kerstin
(author, creator_code:000000023193205X_t)
Toward a sustainable working life for all ages : the swAge-model
2022
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
Background: The demographic shift is fast becoming a global challenge. Populations ageing rapidly is widely seen as one of the most powerful transformative forces affecting society over the next four decades. Due to the demographic challenge in most countries it is important to consider making working life sustainable. It is obvious that the main factor that distinguishes senior workers from other employees is their age. However, a sustainable working life is of importance in all age groups when working life will be extended to a higher age. Aim: Towards a theoretical model with an impact on a sustainable working life for all ages, the swAge-model. Method: The theoretical model, the swAge-model, is developed based on grounded theory using qualitative studies, quantitative studies, intervention projects and literature reviews. Result: The swAge-model incorporates the four determinant spheres, divided into nine determinant areas, of employability and considerations spheres whether individuals can and want to participate in working life or not, i.e.: Health effects of the work environment; 1. self-rated health, diagnoses and disability function variation, 2. physical work environment and injury prevention, 3. mental work environment, stress, effort/reward balance, violence and threats, 4. working hours, the pace at work, and recovery time, Finance; 5. private finances, Relationships and support; 6. Private social environment, family situation, partner, leisure interactions, socialisation, 7. work social environment, participation, social support, leadership and managerial attitudes, discrimination, Performance of tasks; 8. stimulating and self-crediting tasks, core in work, and work satisfaction, 9. knowledge, skills, competence, and opportunities for development. Those determinant spheres and determinant areas associate to different ageing concepts, i.e.: • biological ageing, • chronological ageing, • social ageing, • cognitive ageing. The model also includes proposed measures at the organisation/enterprise level and at the society level based on the four determinants spheres at the individual level. Conclusion: The theoretical swAge-model describes how to reflect on working life and presents tools to extend working life in a sustainable way for older workers in modern society. The swAge -model’s analysis and measure matrix could be a practical tool at the workplace for managers, HR and employees, and in the critical debate to make the working life sustainable for all ages.
4.
Nilsson, Kerstin
(author, creator_code:000000023193205X_t)
When is work a cause of early retirement and are there any effective organizational measures to combat this? : a population-based study of perceived work environment and work-related disorders among employees in Sweden
2020
In: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central Ltd.. - 1471-2458. ; 20:1
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
BACKGROUND: The ageing workforce has an impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate work-related disorders, work tasks and measures associated with the possibility of working beyond 65 years of age or not. METHOD: The data comprised two sample surveys based on the Swedish population: the Survey of National Work-Related Health Disorders, and the National Work Environment Survey. RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis showed that an active systematic work environmental management in the workplace was a statistically significant association with whether individuals could work in their current occupation until 65 years of age (OR 1.7). The final multivariate model stated that whether individuals could work until 65 years was associated with bodily exhaustion after work, frequent feeling of the own work effort being insufficient at the end of the day, experience of the work as restricted and with a lack of freedom, working alone and at risk of unsafe or threatening situations, and generally feeling dissatisfied with the work tasks. Women-dominated workplaces were more highly associated with both male and female employees not being able to work until age 65 (OR 1.6). CONCLUSION: Deficiencies in the working environment seems to be a threat to the public health. An active systematic work environmental management in the workplace increases the possibility to extend the working life. Tools for managers, like the swAge-model, to easily perform active systematic work environmental controls could therefore be a possible way to decrease the risk of work injury as well as increase the possibility for a sustainable extended working life.
5.
Arvidsson, Inger, et al.
(author)
Should I stay or should I go? Associations between occupational factors, signs of exhaustion and the intention to change workplace among swedish principals
2021
In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:10, s. 1-20
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
A high turnover among principals may disrupt the continuity of leadership and negatively affect teachers and, by extension, the students. The aim was to investigate to what extent various work environment factors and signs of exhaustion were associated with reported intentions to change workplace among principals working in compulsory schools. A web-based questionnaire was administered twice, in 2018 and in 2019. Part I of the study involved cross-sectional analyses of the associations 2018 (n = 984) and 2019 (n = 884) between occupational factors, signs of exhaustion, and the intention to change workplace, using Generalized Estimating Equations models. Part II involved 631 principals who participated in both surveys. The patterns of intended and actual changes of workplace across two years were described, together with associated changes of occupational factors and signs of exhaustion. Supportive management was associated with an intention to stay, while demanding role conflicts and the feeling of being squeezed between management and co-workers (buffer-function) were associated with the intention to change workplace. The principals who intended to change their workplace reported more signs of exhaustion. To increase retention among principals, systematic efforts are probably needed at the national, municipal, and local level, in order to improve their working conditions.
6.
Bonde, Jens Peter Ellekilde, et al.
(author)
Occupational risk of COVID-19 related hospital admission in Denmark 2020–2021 : a follow-up study
2023
In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 49:1, s. 84-94
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Objective: Mounting evidence indicates increased risk of COVID-19 among healthcare personnel, but the evidence on risks in other occupations is limited. In this study, we quantify the occupational risk of COVID-19-related hospital admission in Denmark during 2020-2021.Methods: The source population included 2.4 million employees age 20-69 years. All information was retrieved from public registers. The risk of COVID-19 related hospital admission was examined in 155 occupations with at least 2000 employees (at-risk, N=1 620 231) referenced to a group of mainly office workers defined by a COVID-19 job exposure matrix (N=369 341). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were computed by Poisson regression.Results: During 186 million person-weeks of follow-up, we observed 2944 COVID-19 related hospital admissions in at-risk occupations and 559 in referents. Adjusted risk of such admission was elevated in several occupations within healthcare (including health care assistants, nurses, medical practitioners and laboratory technicians but not physiotherapists or midwives), social care (daycare assistants for children aged 4-7, and nursing aides in institutions and private homes, but not family daycare workers) and transportation (bus drivers, but not lorry drivers). Most IRR in these at-risk occupations were in the range of 1.5-3. Employees in education, retail sales and various service occupations seemed not to be at risk.Conclusion: Employees in several occupations within and outside healthcare are at substantially increased risk of COVID-19. There is a need to revisit safety measures and precautions to mitigate viral transmission in the workplace during the current and forthcoming pandemics.
7.
Nilsson, Kerstin
(author, creator_code:000000023193205X_t)
Attraktivt och hållbart arbetsliv på människors villkor : Arbete, hälsa och ledarskap med SwAge-modellen i teori och praktik
2021
Book (other academic/artistic) abstract
Hur kan vi skapa ett hållbart arbetsliv där individer mår bra, kan, vill och orkar befinna sig? Hur kan arbetsgivare, organisationer, företag ta till vara på det humankapital som individer utgör? Hur kan hälsa, inklusion, motivation, kunskap och kompetens värnas och utvecklas genom hela arbetslivet? I ett framtidsperspektiv kommer efterfrågan på arbetskraft som kan och vill arbeta till en högre ålder att öka utifrån den globala demografiska förändringen. Att medverka till en god anställningsbarhet (employability) och hälsa är därför en central fråga och uppgift i dagens samhälle och på arbetsplatser. Vid ett allt längre arbetsliv behöver även ålder och åldrande reflekteras i relation till arbetet.Boken beskriver SwAge-modellen (Sustainable Working life for all AGEs). Den teoretiska modellen redogör för de bestämningsområden, på individ-, organisations och samhällsnivå, som är viktiga för ett hållbart arbetsliv i alla åldrar, men är även ett praktiskt verktyg i det dagliga arbetet på arbetsplatsen och i samhället. SwAge-modellen lyfter de nio bestämningsområden som påverkar huruvida individer vill ingå i arbetslivet och kan hålla sig anställningsbara, och i deras beslut att arbeta kvar eller lämna arbetsplatsen. I boken presenteras även praktiska åtgärdsförslag och verktyg som kan användas för att medverka till ökad anställningsbarhet och ett mer hållbart arbetsliv för medarbetare i alla åldrar.Attraktivt och hållbart arbetsliv på människors villkor riktar sig till studenter på utbildningar inom personal- och arbetsvetenskap, hälsovetenskap och hälsopedagogik. Boken kan också användas till utbildningar inom ledarskap och organisation, och lämpar sig för chefer, HR-avdelningar och ledarskapskonsulenter så väl som medarbetare och fackliga representanter.
8.
9.
Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
Prevalence of exhaustion symptoms and associations with school level, length of work experience and gender: a nationwide cross-sectional study of Swedish principals
2021
In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 21:1
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
BACKGROUND: While poor mental health and psychiatric disorders attributed to stressful work conditions are a public health concern in many countries, the health consequences of the occupational stress experienced by school principals is an understudied issue. Although current data is lacking, some research suggests that principals have a stressful work situation that eventually may lead to burnout and exhaustion disorder, thus negatively affecting the ability of principals to function as leaders. To gauge the situation in Sweden, and as a basis for future preventive actions, we examined to what extent principals displayed signs of exhaustion and whether the prevalence rates of exhaustion differed across school levels, length of work experience as a principal, and gender.METHODS: Principals (N = 2219; mean age 49 years [SD 7 years]; 78% women) working at least 50% in pre-schools, compulsory schools, upper secondary schools or adult education completed a cross-sectional web survey entailing two validated inventories: The Karolinska Exhaustion Disorder Scale (KEDS) and the Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion (LUCIE). Data was analysed using traditional non-parametric methods. Gender stratification achieved covariate balance when analysing school level and length of work experience.RESULTS: Altogether, 29.0% of the principals met the exhaustion criteria in KEDS. The prevalence rates for the four LUCIE-steps of increasing signs of exhaustion were: no signs of stress, 48.8%; weak signs of stress, 25.6%; clear signs of stress but no exhaustion, 15.4%; possible exhaustion disorder, 10.2%. Compared with male principals, female principals reported more signs of possible exhaustion disorder in both LUCIE and KEDS. School level was not associated with reports of exhaustion symptoms in neither LUCIE nor KEDS. Among male principals, length of work experience was associated with exhaustion symptoms in KEDS.CONCLUSIONS: A large group of Swedish principals working in pre-schools, compulsory schools, upper secondary schools or adult education displayed a symptomatology of signs of exhaustion that if sustained might lead to poor health. This observation suggests that education authorities, or other relevant stakeholders, ought to take some form of preventive action. However, effective combinations of individual, group, organisational, and/or societal preventive activities remain to be identified and tested.
10.
Persson, Roger, et al.
(author)
Supportive and demanding managerial circumstances and associations with excellent workability: a cross-sectional study of Swedish school principals
2021
In: BMC psychology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2050-7283. ; 9:1
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
BackgroundThe leadership of principals is important for school, teacher and student related outcomes. To be capable of doing their work (i.e., having sufficient workability), school principals need proper organisational preconditions, motivation, and good health. It is therefore concerning that some studies suggest that principals have a work situation that risks taxing their health and reducing their workability. However, few studies have examined the psychosocial working conditions of principals and no study has gauged principals’ workability. Accordingly, we decided to examine Swedish principals’ workability and their perceptions of eight demanding and five supportive managerial circumstances as well as the associations between managerial circumstances and reports of excellent workability.MethodsThe participants comprised 2219 Swedish principals (78% women) who completed a cross-sectional web survey in 2018. A brief version of the Gothenburg Manager Stress Inventory (GMSI-Mini) gauged managerial circumstances. Workability was assessed with the workability score (0–10; WAS). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between managerial circumstances and reports of excellent workability (WAS ≥ 9). Covariates were: length of work experience as a principal, school level, self-rated health, and general self-efficacy.ResultsThe results showed that circa 30% of the principals reported excellent workability. The GMSI-Mini results showed that role conflicts, resource deficits, and having to harbour co-workers’ frustrations were the most frequently encountered managerial demands. Meanwhile, cooperating co-workers, supportive manager colleagues, and a supportive private life were the most supportive managerial circumstances. Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that role conflicts and role demands were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting less than excellent workability. In contrast, supportive managerial colleagues, a supportive private life and supportive organisational structures were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting excellent workability.ConclusionCirca 30% of the participating principals perceived their workability to be excellent. Reducing role demands, clarifying the principals’ areas of responsibility and accountability in relation to other actors in the governing chain (role conflicts), striving for increased role clarity, and striving to find ways to separate work and private life, seem to be promising intervention areas if increasing principals’ workability is desired.
