Individual Employment Research Articles

The Modification of the Probation Period as an Effect of Transposing the Directive (EU) 2019/1152 in the Romanian Law

Abstract Directive 2019/1152 has brought to the forefront the importance of the probationary period in an employment relationship, by its dual importance both in the activity of an enterprise by enabling the employer to find workers as competent as possible for the performance of the activity, and for the worker, who has the opportunity to know from the beginning of the employment relationship what conditions he must fulfill. Law no. 283/2022 amended the national law in the sense that it made it mandatory to expressly mention the conditions of the probationary period, if any, thus creating a conflict between the existing rules, in relation to the fact that during the probationary period, there is the possibility of termination of the individual employment contract by a simple unjustified notification by either party. In the following study, we will try to solve the legal problem of whether there or there is not a change in the legislator’s optics regarding the reasons for the termination of the individual employment contract during the probationary period.

Enhancing Reproductive Access: The Influence of Expanded Employer Fertility Benefits at a Single Academic Center from 2017-2021.

Enhancing Reproductive Access: The Influence of Expanded Employer Fertility Benefits at a Single Academic Center from 2017-2021.

Epidemic spreading on biological evolution networks.

Epidemic spreading on biological evolution networks.

Individual Characteristics, Personality Traits, Personal Belief, and Employment in Qatar and Kuwait: An Empirical Analysis

ABSTRACT This study assesses the impact of personality traits and personal beliefs on employment status (e.g., unpaid employment/unemployment, part-time paid job, full-time paid job, and self-employment) in Qatar and Kuwait. We use data from the World Values Survey to estimate an ordered logit regression. Our findings point to the positive effect on employment status (e.g., self-employment) for hard work and achievement and support for imagination. The internal locus of control is found to have an inverse U-shape relation with employment. The results show that people with higher religiosity favor flexible work environments. This study contributes to the literature by providing a deeper analysis of the impact of these factors. It underscores the importance of considering a multifaceted approach to improve employment opportunities in Qatar and Kuwait. This includes enhancing educational and income levels, recognizing the diverse impacts of personal traits/beliefs, and addressing country-specific economic challenges. It, therefore, provides several solutions and policy recommendations for improving employment/self-employment outcomes.

Employer and Employee Experiences With Workplace Flexibility and ADA Title I Implementation: A Scoping Review

Background:The objective of the study is to identify emergent flexible arrangements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I implementation strategies that support disability inclusion in the workplace.Objective:Despite the increase in awareness of flexible workplace arrangements, research regarding flexible arrangements for workers with disabilities is limited. The use of flexibility in the workplace, in conjunction with ADA Title I implementation, has been identified as a necessary employment strategy for many individuals with disabilities.Method:A scoping review was conducted to identify the current state of evidence related to the ADA and flexible arrangements and workplaces.Findings:Findings revealed five categories of common flexible arrangements. Facilitators included autonomy, communication, and supportive/educated employers and coworkers. Barriers included limited physical presence, type of work, and ADA limitations.Conclusions:Flexibility can be an important accommodation to support employment for individuals with disabilities. Further research is warranted to determine outcomes of flexible arrangement utilization and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone Deserves College

Intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are defined by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development as, “disorders that are usually present at birth and that negatively affect the trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development.”1 Individuals with IDD face difficulties such as social exclusion, physical limitations, and lack of opportunities because of their disorders and because the systems currently in place are unprepared to respond to individual needs. One of the largest disparities for those with IDD is accessing the workplace, as “85% of families reported that their adult family members with IDD were not employed.”2 Of those who are employed, there is current legislation that allows individuals with IDD to be paid subminimum wages if their work is not to the standard of an employee without a disability.3 With these indicators present, the obtainability of competitive employment for individuals with IDD appears to be near impossible.

Working through digital platform employment. The organisational model and the characteristics of the phenomenon

Globalisation and digitalisation have profoundly transformed the configuration of the labour market, enabling the emergence of new organisational models. Digital platforms are the emblem of this change and challenge official statistics. Available statistics on workers involved in digital platform employment yield results that are not easily comparable due to methodological issues and the phenomenon's heterogeneous and relatively rare nature. Reflection on the measurement of digital platforms in terms of definitions and methodologies is the basis of the Handbook on Measuring Digital Platform Employment and Work published in 2023 in collaboration between OECD, ILO and the European Commission. In 2022, Eurostat promoted an experimental module on Digital Platform Employment and attached it to the Labour Force Survey. The module was voluntarily submitted in 2022 by 17 European countries, including Italy. The study aimed to test the methodology, definitions and questionnaire model to produce the first data on employment mediated by digital platforms, in view of an ad hoc module planned for 2026. The module collected data on the phenomenon's prevalence over the previous 12 months and the four weeks before the interview. The present paper introduces the specificity of the phenomenon, discusses methodological aspects related to its measurement, and presents the results of the DPE module concerning Italy, investigating the main profiles that emerge from the associations between the key variables associated with digital platform employment and other characteristics of individuals.

Work-family trajectories and poverty duration and severity in German working-age households

This study examines how work-family trajectories of households with poverty experience relate to poverty persistence across their working-age life course, using data from the German Socioeconomic Panel from 2007 to 2020 (N=1,518). Work-family trajectories are conceptualised by considering individual- and household-level explanations of poverty. Taking a life course perspective, the study explores sequences of labour market attachment, the extent of low-wage receipt and the needs-to-resource ratio in households across eight years. Methods combine multichannel sequence analysis to identify four clusters of work-family trajectories, and linear regressions to link these clusters to the cumulated length of poverty experiences and the average distance from the at-risk-of-poverty threshold across eight years. Findings reveal that most work-family trajectories among working-age households with poverty experience are dominated by low household work intensity and the presence of children, with trajectories of low-wage receipt forming less prominent patterns. Household histories of low work intensity are linked to increased poverty duration and severity. This relation is even stronger for households that simultaneously experience a high needs-to-resource ratio or frequent low-wage receipt, emphasising the interplay between these two factors and household work intensity. High household work intensity reduces poverty persistence the most, with education identified as an important contextual factor mitigating poverty persistence. Findings suggest to reduce poverty persistence by supporting higher work intensity and regular employment in households with poverty experiences by addressing what prevents individual employment, such as upskilling or reskilling along individual strengths. Such initiatives are particularly important to decrease poverty persistence in families with children.

Disorganisation and depression: a re-examination of how we think and speak when depressed.

Disorganised thinking in severe mental illness seriously cripples social functions. Historically, the study of disorganisation has primarily concentrated on schizophrenia, utilizing tools designed to assess formal thought disorder (FTD). This review examines the characteristics, prevalence, and possible neural correlates of FTD within the framework of depressive disorders. Our focus is on disturbances in thought, language, and communication associated with depression, alongside the relevant subjective experiences. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities in using FTD as a predictor of future illness trajectory and advocate for using the broader construct of depressive disorganisation. We review the disruption of brain networks associated with FTD, such as the salience, language, and default mode networks, within the context of depression. In conclusion, we advocate for increased focus on personal narratives, computational psychopathology, and a broader emphasis on thought dynamics to enhance the identification of disorganisation in depression. Renewed emphasis on this neglected area of psychopathology could provide insights on improving employment and social functioning for individuals affected by mood disorders.

Factors associated with changes in employment in individuals with Long Covid.

BackgroundLong Covid symptoms are known to have an impact on function, however, their effect on employment and the associated demographic and clinical factors are not well understood.ObjectiveOur objectives were (1) To compare changes in employment status between those with Long Covid and those who recovered from their Covid-19 infection; and (2) To identify demographic factors, clinical factors, and occupational skill level associated with decreased employment status in those with Long Covid.MethodsWe conducted an electronic survey (≥12 weeks post infection) with adult residents in Laval, Quebec, Canada who tested positive for Covid-19 between March 2020 and January 2022, regarding Long Covid symptoms and their functional impact. This analysis focuses on employment status: pre-covid, prior to infection, and current, and was recorded as full-time, part-time, or not working due to illness or for other reasons. Change in employment status was categorized as no decrease or decreased.ResultsAmong 2764 respondents, 15.6% (95% CI: 13.3-17.9) with Long Covid (versus 5.4% (95% CI: 4.2-6.5) who recovered) experienced a decrease in employment (p < 0.001). Clinical factors associated with a decrease in employment include having been hospitalized for Covid-19, having ≥1 comorbid condition prior to infection, >12 months since infection, moderate to severe decline in physical and psychological health, and decline in global health. Demographic factors and occupational skill level were not associated with a change in employment.ConclusionsPersons with Long Covid are more likely to experience a decrease in employment. Research is needed to determine whether rehabilitation for people with Long Covid could improve employment levels.

Diversity and Career Trajectories: Evidence from LinkedIn Data on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Auditing

ABSTRACT We use large, detailed data on individual auditor employment to examine the antecedents of turnover decisions and subsequent career paths of diverse individuals in public accounting—namely women and racial/ethnic minority groups (Asian, Black, and Hispanic). Despite investments in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruiting by firms, we observe a higher likelihood of turnover among diverse auditors. Consistent with the principle of homophily, we find that same-group representation is crucial in retaining diverse auditors. These individuals are less likely to leave when surrounded by peers and leaders of the same group and are more likely to join an organization with greater same-group representation. We also find that most individuals leave the audit profession, but those who stay longer have higher seniority later in their careers—suggesting that extended tenure could mutually benefit firms and individuals. Our findings offer valuable insight for firms seeking to promote DEI while improving retention rates.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DEPENDENT ACTIVITY VERSUS INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY FROM TAX AND DUTY PERSPECTIVES

This research aims to carry out a comparative analysis of the dependent activity, from the tax and accounting point of view, performed based on the individual employment agreement, versus the independent activity, regulated by the Civil Code, based on the service agreement. Furthermore, we reviewed a short theoretical presentation centered on the conceptual delimitations of the two types of activities, approached from the framework perspectives of taxes and duties as tools for achieving fiscal policy. These activities are constantly changing from a legislative perspective, aiming at consolidating the Romanian budget and increasing tax revenues.

Factors impacting employment outcomes for persons with spinal cord injury in South Korea.

Cross-sectional survey. To identify the factors determining the employment of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in South Korea, which shows a lower-than-average employment rate in international comparative studies, and to examine the potential importance for policy. Community of patients with SCI who are members of the Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association (KSCIA). A survey involving 200 members of the KSCIA was conducted. In the analysis, we included 177 individuals aged 15-64 years and were at least 2 years post-injury at the time of the survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression was applied to examine the association between 11 variables and employment outcomes. A higher "education level" and participation in "vocational rehabilitation services" were positively associated with employment for individuals with SCI. By contrast, "receiving welfare benefits" was negatively associated with employment probability. The analysis, which categorized employment predictors into human capital, injury, and environmental models, showed no associations for factors in the Injury Model but indicated positive associations for education in the Human Capital Model and for receiving compensation in the form of welfare benefits and participation in vocational rehabilitation services in the Environment Model. Among the three models, the Environment Model had the greatest explanatory power. This suggests that in Korea, policy interventions targeting modifiable environmental factors hold significant potential to improve employment outcomes for individuals with SCI.

Analyzing Unemployment Dynamics: A Fractional‐Order Mathematical Model

ABSTRACTThe persistent rise in unemployment rates poses a significant threat to global economic stability. Addressing this challenge effectively requires a deeper understanding of workforce dynamics, particularly through the integration of an individual's employment history into analytical models. This research introduces a fractional mathematical model, leveraging the Caputo fractional derivative and three key variables: the number of skilled unemployed individuals, the number of employed individuals, and the number of available job vacancies. The model's well‐posedness and global stability are rigorously established using fixed‐point theory. Additionally, the basic reproduction number is analyzed to identify critical factors that facilitate the creation of new job opportunities. Real‐world data from India are employed for MATLAB simulations, offering predictions of unemployment trends in the coming years. A graphical analysis highlights the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on unemployment rates. The model's predictive accuracy is demonstrated through error analysis, showing that fractional‐order forecasts achieve less than 5% error, outperforming integer‐order models in capturing the nuances of unemployment dynamics. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the employment rate is the most influential parameter; a 40% increase in this rate could lead to 192,200 additional employed individuals. The fractional‐order model further exhibits superior performance metrics, including lower root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values, alongside a higher correlation coefficient (). These findings underscore the model's potential to enhance the understanding and mitigation of unemployment challenges.

Supported Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities During COVID: A Scoping Review

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected global employment landscapes, disproportionately impacting individuals with developmental disabilities (DD). Objective This scoping review investigates the pandemic's effects on supported employment for individuals with DD, focusing on job loss, remote work accessibility, and the effectiveness of supported employment initiatives. Methods Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive literature search from December 2019 to November 2023. We included 11 articles in our review. Results The review highlighted three primary themes. First, individuals with DD experienced significant challenges in accessing remote work opportunities, which affected their employment stability during the pandemic. Second, despite severe job disruptions, these individuals demonstrated resilience, with supported employment and workplace adjustments playing a crucial role in maintaining employment for many. Third, the findings emphasize the importance of universal design (UD) in fostering inclusive work environments that accommodate the diverse needs of all employees, particularly those with disabilities. Conclusion The findings stress the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap in remote work opportunities for individuals with DD. Future practices should focus on enhancing workforce inclusivity through robust education, training, and the implementation of UD principles.

Enabling Responsible AI-Driven Agri-Food Innovation in Ontario: Challenges and Opportunities

Adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in Ontario’s agri-food sector can enhance productivity and boost competitiveness, market opportunities, and sector strength. However, without responsible innovation that addresses societal concerns, the sector might face issues like adoption indifference, job displacement, inequality, and ethical dilemmas. AI adoption varies by sector and value chain, necessitating different skills for workers based on the AI technologies implemented. Responsible innovative technologies in agriculture have the potential to generate jobs that attract multiple skills. Initiatives focusing on skill development in digital farming technologies can increase the employability of individuals from various backgrounds and promote inclusivity in the agricultural sector. This research employs a mixed-methods approach to explore key factors influencing AI adoption in Ontario’s horticultural and livestock sectors, associated challenges and opportunities, and essential skills and knowledge for agri-food workers. The goal is to understand how AI can responsibly increase the competitiveness and growth of Ontario’s agri-food sector. It will provide opportunities for the improved support of agri-food workers, enhanced public policy, and strategic investments in programs that can empower a broader range of skills needed to contribute to the industry's technological transformation. Preliminary findings highlight key competencies for AI adoption, associated challenges, and potential benefits.

Identifying Educational Pathways to Graduate-Level Behavioral Health Professions: A Latent Class Analysis.

To address the behavioral health workforce crisis occurring in the United States, supporting students' interest in the behavioral health professions is urgent. Ongoing exploration of possible educational pathways into the behavioral health workforce is warranted, which can highlight opportunities to expand the number of adequately trained, culturally and linguistically representative, behavioral health providers. The purposes of the current study are to identify distinct educational pathways into graduate-level behavioral health professions and assess the extent to which varying pathways are associated with individual sociodemographic and employment characteristics. Leveraging an analytic sample of 1858 individuals from the 2021 National Survey of College Graduates (representative of a subpopulation of 847,095 individuals) who possessed a graduate degree and indicated being employed full time in a principal job related to behavioral health, latent class analysis is employed to identify distinct patterns with respect to the attainment of an associate degree, undergraduate field of study, and graduate field of study. Results favor a four-class solution featuring the following four general patterns: social work, psychology foundation and non-social work graduate degree, non-social work foundation and social work graduate degree, and non-psychology foundation and non-social work graduate degree. The educational pathways possess notable similarities in terms of gender identity, average salary, and job satisfaction; but also demonstrate important differences that could shape efforts to develop new programs and extend investments to support behavioral health workforce professional trajectories, with particular emphasis placed on financial support for educational pathways that efficiently increase the diversity of the graduate-level behavioral health workforce.

The impact of a decade of digital transformation on employment, wages, and inequality in the EU: a “conveyor belt” hypothesis

Abstract We study the effects of digital transformation in the European Union on individual employment outcomes, wage growth, and income inequality, during the decade 2010–9. Our results allow us to formulate a ‘conveyor-belt’ hypothesis suggesting that employment confers a competitive advantage in navigating the digital transition due to the accumulation of pertinent skills in the workplace. Because digital skills are acquired with the changing demands of the job, their initial endowment matters less for the employed than for the non-employed. Furthermore, the ability of out-of-work individuals with higher digital skills to jump back on the labour market is reduced for those with higher education, suggesting a faster depreciation of their digital skills. A similar effect, although of limited size, is found for earning growth: out-of-work individuals with higher digital skills are not only more likely to find a job, but experience higher earnings growth, compared to their peers with lower digital skills. Our results point to a vulnerability of workers ‘left behind’ from the digital transformation and the labour market. The overall effects on inequality are, however, limited.

The relationship between individual employment probabilities and accessibility to matching jobs: A study of the Netherlands

The relationship between individual employment probabilities and accessibility to matching jobs: A study of the Netherlands

Improving employability? Individual placement and support for the long‐term unemployed and individuals with developmental disabilities in Finland

AbstractHealth limitations and disabilities can create considerable barriers to entering employment. Individual placement and support (IPS), an evidence‐based model of supported employment, has proven effective in promoting the employment of individuals facing serious mental illness. The objective of this study was to examine the potential of IPS to influence the employability of new client groups: individuals experiencing prolonged unemployment and those with developmental disabilities. Through 17 client interviews and 12 interviews with employment specialists in Finland, we examined how IPS, guided by eight principles, can influence individual factors, personal circumstances, and external factors affecting employability. The findings indicate that IPS offers promising new approaches to enhancing employability and supporting job retention among the long‐term unemployed and individuals with developmental disabilities. However, outdated notions of employability and reliance on conventional employment methods may hinder the transition of individuals with complex employment barriers into the labor market.