Blue-collar Workers Research Articles

Rising Mental Health Issues from Remote Work Challenges in South Korea Amid COVID-19

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased remote work, raising concerns about its impact on mental health. This study assessed the relationship between the challenges of remote work during the pandemic and mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. An online survey was conducted among South Korean adults, with data from 507 participants analyzed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results indicated that participants in the ‘difficult’ remote work category experienced higher rates of anxiety (26.6%), sleep disorders (37.3%), and depressive symptoms (38.4%) compared to the ‘non-difficult’ category (14.1% anxiety, 24.8% sleep disorder, and 24.8% depressive symptoms), with all differences statistically significant (p ≤ 0.005). Logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and socio-economic factors revealed increased odds of mental health issues in the ‘difficult’ group (ORs ranging from 2.241 to 3.210). Sub-group analysis highlighted significant disparities, particularly among blue-collar workers and men. The findings underscore the need for organizational strategies to mitigate the mental health challenges of remote work. Interventions should include improving technological infrastructure, enhancing workspace ergonomics, and fostering robust communication channels to replace in-person interactions. Additionally, policies should address the differential impacts observed between genders and industries, tailoring support to diverse needs. On a personal level, promoting regular indoor exercise could help workers manage stress and enhance their well-being in remote work settings. This study calls for a comprehensive approach to managing the complex impacts of remote work on mental health. Key messages • This study calls for a comprehensive approach to managing the complex impacts of remote work on mental health. • The findings underscore the need for organizational strategies to mitigate the mental health challenges of remote work.

Alcohol intake and patterns of multi-site musculoskeletal pain in the British Whitehall II study

Abstract Background Patterns of multi-site musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and its relationship with alcohol drinking among white-collar employees and retirees remain unclear compared to blue-collar workers. This study aimed to examine the relationship between alcohol drinking and MSK pain through latent class analysis (LCA) in current and retired white-collar employees. Methods We used the data from the 7th phase (2000-2002, n = 6,967, response rate 71.6%) of the British Whitehall II study, chosen for its availability of MSK items and approximately 1:1 ratio of employees to retirees, allowing for an evaluation of the relationship between alcohol drinking and MSK pain by employment status. LCA was used to distinguish patterns of multi-site MSK pain. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine the association between alcohol drinking and the identified pain patterns, with analyses conducted separately for employees and retirees. Results We identified five latent classes for pain (back/cervical: 7.1%, cervical: 28.9%, upper limb: 29.4%, combined LBP/upper limb/cervical: 13.2%, and LBP alone: 21.5%). Increased alcohol intake might be associated with elevated odds of upper limb pain in current drinkers, but this could not be statistically confirmed (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99-1.09). Employment status may modify the association with a significant interaction found between alcohol intake and retirement (p-value: 0.043). Every 7-unit increase in alcohol intake is associated with 18% and 12% higher odds of pain in LBP/UBP/cervical and upper limbs, respectively (95% CI: 1.02-1.37; 1.02-1.23). Conclusions Increased alcohol intake was associated with pain patterns only among retired white-collar employees but not the current ones. Interventions on alcohol consumption could help confirm if, reducing alcohol intake or avoiding hazardous drinking, for white-collar retirees prevents not only upper limb pain but also more complex pain patterns. Key messages • Musculoskeletal pain in white-collar employees and retirees contributes to the cervical and upper extremities, differing from low back/neck pain studies among general or blue-collar workers. • The association between alcohol drinking and pain patterns may differ across employment status. Reducing alcohol intake might be advised to retired drinkers for preventing multi-site pain.

Too few or too many? Exploring the Link between gender dissimilarity and employee absenteeism

Despite well-intentioned gender diversity initiatives aimed at addressing gender imbalances by ensuring minimal female representation in predominantly male groups, such tokenism often exacerbates discrimination and social isolation for these women, potentially leading to absenteeism. Research suggests that the benefits of diversity are realized only when the ratio of women to men reaches a critical threshold that allows for genuine integration and participation. However, this threshold remains uncertain. We integrate tokenism theory with social identity and status characteristics theories to investigate the effects of gender ratios within organizational teams on individual absenteeism. Specifically, we theorize a U-shaped relationship between gender dissimilarity and absenteeism for women, but not for men. Study 1, with a one-year cross-lagged design, encompassing 10,332 blue-collar workers in 1064 teams, supports the U-shaped relationship for women, while the relationship for men was non-significant. In Study 2, we use an experimental design with a sample of 370 female blue-collar workers to explore two potential mechanisms that may together explain the U-shaped gender dissimilarity effect for women. We test whether the gender composition of the work group affects both women’s likelihood of reporting unpleasant experiences and the group’s norms regarding absence. We draw theoretical and practical implications from these findings.

Automotive workers: the role of coordinative and conditional abilities as effectiveness wellness indicator.

Noncommunicable diseases are on the rise due to sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity, particularly in the workplace. Prolonged and repetitive work tasks can result in extended sick leave and decreased productivity while at work. Therefore, it is important to identify predictive factors that can act as indicators of the health status of employees. Utilizing motor abilities assessment tests can help to identify health issues at an early stage. Promoting preventive health measures is crucial for addressing chronic diseases and enhancing overall occupational well-being. The purpose of the study was to characterize workers' motor abilities and fitness levels and identify potential indicators. A total of 605 workers participated in this study, including 529 male participants with a height of 176 ± 0.09 cm and a body mass of 75.9 ± 14.1 kg and 77 female participants with a height of 162 ± 0.11 cm and an average body mass of 58.9 ± 11.1 kg. These individuals were enrolled during an Italian automotive corporation's mandatory annual medical check-up. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their occupational roles: blue-collar, manager, and white-collar groups. The participants underwent motor abilities assessment tests for upper-limb strength, trunk flexibility, and reaction time. The blue-collar group reported the best results in upper-limb strength (93.3 kgf ± 18.60), but had the worst results in flexibility (21.7 cm ± 7.90), total reaction time (58.8 s ± 4.74); and average intermedium (0.68 ms ± 0.11). The white-collar group reported the best result in flexibility (23.7 cm ± 8.94) and reaction time (48.5 s ± 4.38; 0.64 ms ± 0.09). Despite being frequently used to assess health status, handgrip measurements may not provide accurate differentiations because of the common use of blue-collar workers for tasks that require upper-limb strength. In contrast, reaction time metrics appear more reliable and discriminative in evaluating a worker's physical fitness.

The Presidency of Bill Clinton after Thirty Years: A Review Article

Abstract Did Bill Clinton destroy the U.S. economy? In a recent book, Nelson Lichtenstein and Judith Stein offer a scathing new critique. In this account, Clinton not only ravaged the United States in his own time but is largely to blame for America's subsequent economic inequality, monopolistic corporations, the Great Financial Crisis, the rise of China, and the advent of Trumpism. And yet, the economic data speak well of the Clinton presidency. He fares poorly on the trade deficit and economic inequality but otherwise delivered a balanced economic boom, far better than most administrations of the past fifty years. How do we square the withering criticisms of Lichtenstein and Stein with Clinton's economic achievements? It is correct that globalization and technological change tend to hurt blue-collar workers. And because Clinton embraced these forces and sought to place the United States at their headwaters, he may, indeed, be a “fabulous failure” from Lichtenstein and Stein's perspective. But the authors, each a labor historian and advocate, willfully dismiss the benefits that the nation as a whole, including workers and their children, enjoyed under Clinton. They also ignore the financial and military crises that Clinton averted. Overall, the Clinton administration created a wealthier and more competitive economy, albeit at the expense of those workers most vulnerable and least able to change. That is, Clinton helped transform the U.S. economy, just not along the lines that Lichtenstein and Stein prefer.

Rejected sickness cash benefit claims after 180 days of sick leave in the Swedish rehabilitation chain: A nationwide register-based study.

Since a lack of financial security among vulnerable groups could further hamper health and well-being, this study scrutinises factors predicting rejected prolonged sickness cash benefit claims among people on compensated sick leave of more than 180 days with a rejection between days 181 and 365. All 246,872 claims for employed people on sick leave recorded in the Swedish official statistics register between January 2018 and June 2021 were analysed. Claim outcome was evaluated using logistic regression with odds ratios recalculated to relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), mutually adjusted for sociodemographic, work and health-related factors. Overall, 46,611 (19%) of the claims were rejected, with slightly lower rates among women (RR=0.97; 95% CI 0.95-0.99). Musculoskeletal diseases had the highest rejection rates (RR=1.84; 95% CI 1.75-1.94) followed by injuries (RR=1.57; 95% CI 1.50-1.64) and symptoms (RR=1.51; 95% CI 1.46-1.56). Mental disorders also had above-average rates (RR=1.14; 95% CI 1.09-1.19), whereas the lowest rates were found among pregnancy-related diagnoses (RR=0.13; 95% CI 0.12-0.14) and neoplasms (RR=0.18; 95% CI 0.18-0.18). Higher rates were found among immigrants (RR=1.37; 95% CI 1.34-1.40), those with only primary education (RR=1.09; 95% CI 1.06-1.12) and among blue-collar workers. The regional variation was substantial (RR range 0.41-1.72). High rejection rates were found for complex diagnoses and diagnoses with presupposed work ability in physically lighter occupations and among groups with assumed precarious positions at the labour market. Systematic differences in rates were identified between geographic regions. More studies are warranted to conclude if the differences found could be justified by other factors.

Ownership Society of the Proletariat

One big puzzle in China’s market reform is how the government maintained popular support during the rapid socioeconomic transformation. This article argues that while the market transition aggravated economic inequality, the housing privatization reform of the late 1990s, in which public housing was sold at deeply discounted prices, provided a much-needed welfare benefit to the urban residents before a functioning welfare system was established. Using survey data collected in Beijing during the period of housing privatization reform, this study finds that urban residents who purchased public housing reported higher evaluations of China’s market reform and were more satisfied with government performance. The effect was stronger among SOE blue-collar workers, lower-income earners, and those without social insurance. Further analysis shows that the purchase of public housing had a long-lasting effect on shaping pro-market policy preferences among these former proletariats. These findings suggest that housing privatization contributed to a widely dispersed coalition that supported the government’s market-oriented policies, serving as a source of political legitimacy during the period of dramatic changes.

Empirical research on decent work and precarious work for semi-skilled and unskilled blue-collar workers: A scoping review

Recognising that many workers worldwide often face poverty and exploitation, the International Labour Organisation aims to promote decent and productive work opportunities for all. We conducted a scoping review to get an overall view of current academic literature on decent work and precarious work for samples of blue-collar workers. The studies included in this review, focused on empirical research conducted from 2006 onwards, that primarily investigated decent work or precarious work among semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers. The review team used a data-charting form and collected information from thirty-five articles. Most recent studies (2020–2023) were related to the experiences and livelihoods of non-traditional blue-collar workers namely platform drivers and informal waste pickers. Before 2020, the most commonly studied theme related to the experiences of migrant workers. The findings shed light on the experiences of these workers, particularly in South Africa and India and provide valuable insight into their work experiences for further discussion.

Cancer Incidence among Marines and Navy Personnel and Civilian Workers Exposed to Industrial Solvents in Drinking Water at US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune: A Cohort Study.

Drinking water at US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was contaminated with trichloroethylene and other industrial solvents from 1953 to 1985. A cohort cancer incidence study was conducted of Marines/Navy personnel who began service and were stationed at Camp Lejeune () or Camp Pendleton, California () between 1975 and 1985 and civilian workers employed at Camp Lejeune () or Camp Pendleton () between October 1972 and December 1985. Camp Pendleton's drinking water was not contaminated with industrial solvents. Individual-level information on primary invasive cancers and in situ bladder cancer diagnosed between 1996 and 2017 was obtained from 54 US cancer registries. Proportional hazards regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) comparing cancer incidence between the Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton cohorts, adjusted for sex, race, education, and rank (or blue-collar work), with age as the time variable. Precision of aHRs was evaluated using the 95% confidence interval (CI) ratio (CIR). Cancers among Camp Lejeune Marines/Navy personnel and civilian workers totaled 12,083 and 1,563, respectively. Cancers among Camp Pendleton Marines/Navy personnel and civilian workers totaled 12,144 and 1,416, respectively. Compared with Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune Marines/Navy personnel had aHRs with CIRs for all myeloid cancers (; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.49), acute myeloid leukemia (; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.85), myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes (; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.62), polycythemia vera (; 95% CI: 0.94, 2.11), and cancers of the esophagus (; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.56), larynx (; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.50), soft tissue (; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.59), and thyroid (; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.45). Lymphoma subtypes mantle cell and marginal zone B-cell and lung cancer subtypes adenocarcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer also had aHRs with CIRs . Compared with Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune civilian workers had aHRs with CIRs for all myeloid cancers (; 95% CI: 0.83, 2.36), squamous cell lung cancer (; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.41), and female breast (; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.52) and ductal cancer (; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.71). Increased risks of several cancers were observed among Marines/Navy personnel and civilian workers exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune compared with Camp Pendleton. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14966.

Importance of Digital Adoption for Workforce in Various Sectors: A Comparative Analysis

This article aims to explore the significance of applying digital adoption for the workforce in different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, services, and agriculture. By analysing globally accepted statistics and scholarly articles, we present a comprehensive overview of the impact of digital adoption of mobile application on both blue-collar and white-collar workers. The findings emphasize the transformative power of digital technologies and highlight the potential benefits and challenges associated with their implementation of digital application and mobile application in each sector. This research underscores the need for strategic planning and effective training to maximize the advantages of digital adoption across diverse industries.

Decent work and work fulfilment: The mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of psychological ownership

This study explores the well-being (engagement) and work fulfilment of 628 blue-collar workers as outcomes of decent work, based on the Psychology of Working Theory and its target group. It takes a positive preventative approach and demonstrates the motivational role of work engagement and psychological ownership in contributing to the work fulfilment of blue-collar workers experiencing decent work. Data was collected from a South African-owned trailer manufacturing company. The results show a positive relationship between decent work and work fulfilment, with work engagement mediating this relationship. Additionally, psychological ownership positively moderates the relationship between decent work and work engagement. This study adds insights into the underlying mechanism (work engagement) that elucidates how decent work relates to work fulfilment. This study sheds light on how decent work contributes to work fulfilment through work engagement. Furthermore, suggesting that this relationship is stronger for blue-collar workers with higher levels of psychological ownership.

Too Scared to Fight Back? Affective Job Insecurity as a Boundary Condition Between Workplace Incivility and Negative Mood States in Temporary Agency Workers

AbstractBlue-collar temporary agency workers may confront daily workplace incivility, based on their status as outsiders in the user company, and affective job insecurity, based on their unstable employment situation. Building on the employment-health dilemma (Kößler, F. J., Wesche, J. S., & Hoppe, A. (2023). In a no-win situation: The employment–health dilemma. Applied Psychology, 72(1), 64–84) and the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion (Lazarus, R. S. (1991). Emotion and adaptation. Oxford University Press), we examine how these factors jointly shape workers’ daily affective experiences. We assume that workers with high levels of affective job insecurity feel less capable to fight back against workplace incivility. Consequently, we hypothesize that these workers are less likely to respond to daily workplace incivility with angry mood and more likely to respond with sad mood. To address our hypotheses, we conducted a daily diary study in Switzerland with 95 blue-collar temporary agency workers. As expected, affective job insecurity weakened the link between daily workplace incivility and angry mood, whereas it strengthened the link between daily workplace incivility and sad mood. In sum, our findings suggest that worries and fears related to keeping one’s job can alter how workers respond to daily workplace incivility. We discuss our findings in the context of temporary agency work.

Return to Work One Year after Moderate to Severe Traumatic Injury in a Working Age Population.

Background/Objectives: Physical trauma may cause long-term disabilities. The importance of place of residence in the return to work after injuries is little researched. The primary aims of this study were to describe return to work or school (RTW) at 6 and 12 months after moderate to severe traumatic injury and to investigate demographic and injury-related predictors for RTW with an initial focus on geographic centrality of residency. The secondary aim was to investigate the association between RTW and functioning. Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at two Norwegian trauma centres. Inclusion criteria: age 18 to 70 years, at least a two-day hospital stay and a New Injury Severity Score > 9. Information about centrality, demographics, injuries, and return to work were collected. Associations between possible predictors and RTW were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: Of the 223 participants, 68% had returned to work after 6 months and 77% after 12 months. Twelve-month RTW was 89% after thorax/abdomen injuries, 78% after extremity/spine injuries and 73% after head injuries. More central residency was a significant predictor for RTW in univariable but only within the extremity/spine injury subgroup in multivariable analysis. Negative factors were age, having a blue-collar job, number of injuries and rehabilitation complexity. Function 12 months post-injury was associated with RTW in the multivariable model. Conclusions: RTW after one year was high in all major trauma groups. Demographic and injury-related factors were more important predictors of RTW than centrality of residency. Blue-collar workers and patients with multiple injuries and high rehabilitation complexity should be given special attention to support RTW.

Sickness absence after work accidents and post-traumatic stress among white-collar workers in the retail and wholesale industry; a longitudinal Swedish cohort study

BackgroundMost studies about accidents and about PTSD, respectively, have been conducted either on blue-collar workers, or on the entire working population. There are very few such studies on white-collar workers.AimTo examine diagnosis-specific sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) after a work accident or PTSD, respectively, among white-collar workers in the private retail and wholesale industry.MethodsA prospective population-based cohort study of all 192,077 such workers aged 18–67 (44% women) in Sweden in 2012, using linked microdata from nationwide registers. We identified individuals who had secondary healthcare due to work-related accidents (n = 1114; 31% women) or to PTSD (n = 216; 79% women) in 2012–2016. Their average number of net days of diagnosis-specific SA (in SA spells > 14 days) and DP were calculated for 365 days before and 365 days after the healthcare visit.Results35% of the women and 24% of the men had at least one new SA spell during the 365 days after healthcare due to work accidents. Among women, the average number of SA/DP days increased from 14 in the year before the visit to 31 days the year after; among men from 9 to 21 days. SA days due to fractures and other injuries increased most, while SA days due to mental diagnoses increased somewhat. 73% of women and 64% of men who had healthcare due to PTSD had at least one new SA spell in the next year. Women increased from 121 to 157 SA/DP days and men from 112 to 174. SA due to stress-related disorders and other mental diagnoses increased the most, while DP due to stress-related diagnoses and SA due to musculoskeletal diagnoses increased slightly.ConclusionsAbout a quarter of those who had secondary healthcare due to work accidents, and the majority of those with such healthcare due PTSD, had new SA in the following year. SA due to injury and mental diagnoses, respectively, increased most, however, SA/DP due to other diagnoses also increased slightly. More knowledge is needed on factors associated with having or not having SA/DP in different diagnoses after work accidents and among people with PTSD.

Unveiling the health implications of working hours in the Indonesian workforce

This research aims to evaluate and compare the impact of working hours on the physical and psychological well-being of workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, where people were forced to work from home. While existing studies primarily concentrate on the physical and mental health of office workers, there is a notable gap in understanding how changes in work hours affect individuals in various professional sectors. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive investigation across a diverse range of employment, encompassing white collar, gray collar, and blue collar occupations. Using datasets from Indonesia's National Labor Survey (Sakernas) in 2019 and 2020, the study focuses on the working-age population engaged in various occupations, including employees, casual agricultural workers, and casual non-agricultural workers. Further categorization involves classifying individuals into white collar, gray collar, and blue collar segments. The total number of individuals analyzed was 215,607 in 2019 and 201,077 in 2020. Employing an ordered logistic regression method due to the categorical nature of the dependent variable, the study reveals consistent findings regarding the impact of working hours on health across the years 2019 and 2020. Extended work hours correlate with improved health outcomes, indicating better health for those working longer, while individuals with fewer hours exhibit lower chances of achieving good health. In 2019, occupational status significantly influences worker health, with gray and blue collar workers having lower probabilities of better health compared to white collar workers. However, this occupational effect on health is absent in 2020.

Impact of blue-collar vs. white-collar occupations on disease burden in psoriatic arthritis patients: A Swiss clinical quality management in rheumatic diseases cohort study

Biomechanical stress may exacerbate inflammation in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study aimed to investigate disease activity, work disability, and drug response/retention rates in PsA patients among two different occupation’s types: blue-collar workers (BCol) with manual labor versus white-collar workers (WCol) with sedentary occupations. PsA patients registered in the Swiss cohort (SCQM) were classified as BCol or WCol workers and assessed at the initiation of a biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (b-/tsDMARD). We compared the baseline characteristics at treatment start and the DAS28-CRP for the 1-year remission. Treatment retention was investigated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Multivariable models were adjusted for potential confounders. Of 564 patients, 29% were BCol, and 71% were WCol workers. Baseline disease activity was comparable between both groups. BCol workers were predominantly male (79.8%) and more work disabled at baseline (84.0% vs. 27.9%; p < 0.01). One hundred seventy-four treatment courses (TCs) of 165 PsA patients were included for longitudinal analysis. Occupation did not significantly influence the achievement of DAS28-CRP remission at 1 year. Kaplan–Meier analysis (n = 671) indicated longer retention for BCol workers (mean retention duration: 3.15 years vs. 2.15 years, (p = 0.006). However, adjusted Cox regression analysis did not corroborate these findings. This study indicates that physically demanding occupations correlate with increased rates of work disability among PsA patients, while treatment response seems to be unaffected by the patients’ occupation type. Additional research is required to thoroughly comprehend the relationship between physical workload, disease activity, and treatment outcomes.Key Points• This study indicates that physically demanding occupations correlate with increased rates of work disability among PsA patients.• The treatment response among of PsA patients seems unaffected by the patients’ occupation type.

Impact of biomechanical exposure (job-exposure matrix 'MADE') and social support on return to work following occupational injuries

ObjectivesTo identify the determinants that influence the outcome of the return to work (RTW) after occupational injuries. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study at the National Health Insurance Fund of Tunisia among victims of occupational injuries. Individual and professional factors have been evaluated through a face-to-face questionnaire for ten months. Biomechanical exposure was estimated by the job-exposure matrix "MADE" and social support by the Social Support Scale. Along with descriptive statistics, we used bivariate analysis, binary logistic regression, and random forest. ResultsWe included 199 injured workers aged 20–60 years (mean = 42.73; 79.9 % male).Of the 199 injured workers, 39.7 % had unsuccessful RTW. Low social support, biomechanical exposure, blue-collar workers, working long hours, and severe injuries were associated with an unsuccessful return to work. In the variable importance plot issued from the random forest model, low social support at work was the most important risk factor of an unsuccessful RTW, followed by MADE variables: repetitiveness and effort. ConclusionBiomechanical exposure and social support are main influencers of the return-to-work process.

Exploring the workplace factors and their influence on the employment outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundHigh unemployment rate of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is associated with substantial economic costs. Whilst the impact of MS symptoms and other disease-related factors on employment outcomes of PwMS has been assessed, limited evidence exists on the impacts of workplace factors. ObjectiveTo investigate the most common individual and group workplace factors associated with unemployment or a perceived risk of unemployment in PwMS, and to identify patient subgroups that are more susceptible to changes in employment status due to such factors. MethodsData from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) on employment status and workplace factors were used. Fifteen workplace factors were classified under four groups: organisational, commuting, moving around at work, and equipment usage factors. Participants answered ‘Yes’ to each factor if it related to their unemployment and/or perceived risk of becoming unemployed and a group factor was considered “Yes” if at least one individual factor within it was answered as “Yes”. The proportions of “Yes” responses were calculated for both individual and group factors. Total number of individual factors was calculated and descriptive analyses and ordered logistic regression were used to summarize the total number of factors affecting each participant, and their association with participants’ occupations, sex, disability severity and disease duration. ResultsCommon workplace factors influencing employment were organisational (39.8 % perceived risk, 44.0 % lost employment), commuting (28.9 % perceived risk) and equipment usage difficulty (30.9 % lost employment). Common individual factors included inflexible working conditions, lack of suitable work, commuting difficulties, architectural barriers, and requirement to stand for long periods to use equipment. Professionals, blue-collar workers, and those with moderate/severe disability were more likely to report a higher number of workplace factors risking their employment. ConclusionsWorkplace factors undermine PwMS employment, with variations among subgroups based on occupation and disability severity. Understanding these barriers is crucial for supporting PwMS in the workforce.

Return to Work after Cancer - a Systematic Review of Predictors in Germany

More than one third of cancer survivors are of working age. Return to work (RTW) with and after cancer treatment is therefore an important issue for this group - but this is often accompanied with many challenges. The aim of this systematic review was to identify predictors of RTW after cancer from the literature specifically for Germany and to place these factors chronologically in the oncological course of treatment. A systematic search was performed using PubMed in June 2022. Included were all papers original published in German or English between 2000 and 2022 and referring to a German sample, regardless of study design. From a total of 8,381 hits in the meta-database, 30 publications were finally considered in the synthesis of results. Higher age, lower education, lower socioeconomic status, higher disease stage, more progressive disease course, more severe side effects of treatment, (more severe) fatigue, higher psychological distress, worse health status, occupational status as a blue collar worker and manual labor, unemployment prior to diagnosis, more negative perceptions of the work(place) environment, and lower intention to work and lower work ability/ subjective prognosis of employability were associated with lower likelihood of RTW after cancer in the literature. Treatment type and use of rehabilitation were also found to be associated with RTW. Sociodemographic, disease-related, psychosocial, and work-related predictors of RTW after cancer in Germany were identified. The results may help to develop targeted support measures that can be applied in specific phases of treatment. The comparability of the literature on predictors for RTW is limited due to a high heterogeneity in the operationalization of RTW and methodological approaches. There is need for further standardization in this area.

Physical working conditions over time: a repeated cross-sectional study in German employees

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine time trends in physical working conditions across and within occupational groups in Germany between 2006 and 2018.MethodsLogistic regression analyses were conducted using data from the BIBB/BAuA Employment Surveys in 2006, 2012, and 2018, with a total sample size of 59,006 participants. The study investigated changes in various self-reported occupational exposure measures over time, along with demographic shifts in the workforce.ResultsThe results showed overall improvements in most occupational exposure measures during the study period, alongside an aging and upskilling workforce. However, exposure to awkward postures, microorganisms, and, to a lesser extent, noise increased. Substantial variation was observed between occupational groups, with more favourable trends among white-collar high-skilled and blue-collar low-skilled workers, and less favourable trends among white-collar low-skilled and blue-collar high-skilled workers.ConclusionsWhile trends in physical working conditions in Germany are partly promising, some exposures are worsening, and substantial inequalities between occupations persist. As occupational exposures remain common, there is still a need for targeted interventions to improve working conditions, particularly in higher-risk occupations.