Full-time Employment Research Articles

Mobile Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Work-Related Stress in Employees and the Influence of Instruction Format (Digital or Live) on Training Outcome: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Work-related stress is a major health issue in most industrialized countries. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BfB) can promote resilience and stress coping capacity. Mobile HRV-BfB could contribute to stress prevention in the workplace. Little is known about whether the type of training, with digital or live instruction, has an impact on the training outcome. This study analyzes the psychophysiological effects of four-week workplace resilience training with mobile HRV-BfB and the influence of instruction format (digital or live) on training success. This was a prospective, three-arm, non-randomized controlled trial with parallel group design. 73 employees of a bearing and seal manufacturer (58.9% male, 86.3% full-time employment, 67.1% office workers) attended resilience training with HRV-BfB, live (n = 24) or digital (n = 19) format, or served as waitlist controls (n = 30). HRV-BfB training spanned four weeks. Participants applied resilience techniques to increase HRV using visual biofeedback. Data were collected at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and another four weeks later (T2). Primary outcome measure was the Burnout scale of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) at T1. Secondary outcome measures included further COPSOQ scales, self-reported sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), and HRV parameters. Burnout parameters decreased significantly in HRV-BfB and waitlist. The decrease (T0-T1 and T0-T2) showed higher effect sizes in HRV-BfB (Cohen's d: 0.63; 0.69) than in waitlist (d: 0.27; 0.36). Sleep quality improved in HRV-BfB with small effect sizes (no change for waitlist). SDNN (standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals) increased in HRV-BfB between T0 and T1 (d: 0.23;). In subgroup analysis, digital reached higher effect sizes for improvement in burnout (d: 0.87; 0.92) and sleep quality (d: 0.59; 0.64) than live learning (burnout: d: 0.43; 0.51; sleep quality: d: 0.28; 0.22). HRV-analysis revealed no differences between subgroups. Four-week mobile HRV-BfB resilience training reduced stress and burnout symptoms in employees. No significant differences were found between HRV-BfB digital or live. Hence, companies should choose the approach that fits their company profile or, if possible, offer both formats to accommodate the different needs of employees. However, findings were nonhomogeneous and should be verified by further studies.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04897165, 05/18/2021, retrospectively registered.

Zooming Out: Circular Economy Development in the European Union and its Implications on the Economy and Society

The concept of the circular economy has emerged as a response to the challenges posed by resource constraints, waste accumulation, and pollution, threatening both social welfare and business profitability. The circular economy aims for sustainable development, encompassing environmental quality, economic prosperity, and social equity across current and future generations. Despite its recognition as a pivotal solution, there needs to be more comprehensive understanding regarding its development and its economic and social impacts. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to investigate the progress of circular economy sectors in the European Union to get an overview of the circular economy advancements and discuss geographical economic and social effects. The focus is on the indicators of gross value added, private investments, and full-time employment within recycling, repair, and reuse sectors because these sectors provide good proxies for the circular economy activities in the European economy. Results suggest a linear growth of circular economy sectors across the European Union, albeit with variations among member states. The paper discusses the implications of circular economy transition on the economy and society, particularly on the labour market, skill demands, and technology integration, emphasising the need for a critical academic discourse. It questions assumptions about job creation and local employment, especially considering technological advancements that may reduce manual labour in recycling plants. Future research is invited to focus on these macro-level implications and critically reflect on the societal implications of a circular economy transition to shape a more fair and socially inclusive economy.

10.N. Scientific session: Gender and parenthood: short and long-term income, career, and health inequities

Abstract Despite the last decades’ changes in the distribution of household and child-rearing tasks, its main responsibility tends to fall on women. As such, parenting may remain an important determinant of gender inequalities in income, careers, and health and well-being. In 2022, on average, European women’s gross income was 12.7% below men’s. This income gap is, in part, explained by inequalities in full-time employment: in the EU, 31.5% of women with children worked part-time, which contrasts with 20.2% of women without children, with 4.9% of men with children, and 7.2% of men without children. These income and career impacts may occur due to the persistence of some traditional conceptions of the division of paid and nonpaid labor. These conceptions, and the subsequent inequalities in career progression and income, may be reflected in women’s living conditions, work-family conflict, chronic strain, well-being, and health. Yet, it can also be posited that men, experiencing the pressure to remain the main provider in the family and the most recent expectations to comply with childrearing roles, may also see their well-being and health affected. However, countries with higher gender equity have shown better results in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for women and men. It can be argued that women and men, especially those who have children, benefit from countries with more progressive parental policies, such as longer and more equally divided parental leaves, accessible childcare, or flexible working schemes. It could, thus, be expected that these countries present higher gender equity in paid and nonpaid work division, career progression, and income, with a higher couple balance, and healthier family environments, with health gains for women and men who are parents and their children. This workshop aims to present and open to discussion recent research outcomes on the role of parenthood on income, career, and health inequalities across European countries. It will show results from quantitative and qualitative studies that focus on analyzing these impacts in the short- and long-term. By discussing these results, researchers and public health professionals may grasp parental, labor market, or social policies or health programs to foster gender equality in access to better living conditions and health, especially during and after parenthood. Key messages • Parenthood may widen gender inequities regarding income and career progression, contributing to the gender gap in health and well-being. • By understanding the magnitude of gender inequities and their distribution across countries, public health researchers and professionals may identify policies that effectively address the gender gap.

Bridging the Language Gap in Healthcare: Implementing a Qualified Medical Interpreter Program for Lesser-Spoken Languages

Linguistic inequity drives systemic disparities in healthcare for non-native English speakers. This study evaluates a project to train and provide qualified medical interpreters (QMI) to assist volunteer and safety-net clinics and community-based organizations in supporting healthcare for immigrants and refugees. We provided scholarships to bilingual community members to take a medical interpreter training course and developed a workforce for those who passed the training course. We focused on lesser-spoken foreign languages such as Arabic, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, and Burmese. Those who passed the course participated in a semi-structured interview to learn about their experiences in the training program, as well as barriers and facilitators to becoming a QMI. To date, 23 people have passed the training and are part of the QMI workforce program that has provided 94 h of interpreter services over four months, serving 66 individual patients. The evaluation showed that community members have interest in becoming QMIs and many have the required language proficiency to enroll and pass training. Finding full-time employment for less spoken languages has proven to be challenging.

Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in a Predominantly Hispanic/Latinx South Texas Community in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19 has a lasting impact on mental health, particularly within the Hispanic/Latinx communities. This paper empirically investigates the post-COVID-19 presence and severities of depression, one of the most common mental health disorders, among adults in a predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community in South Texas composed primarily of Mexican Americans. Multiple statistic regression models were applied to data from 515 adults in Nueces County who completed all questions in a survey from convenience sampling between June 2022 and May 2023. Depression was assessed using both standard PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 measurements. Of the 515 participants, 377 (64.5%) were Hispanic, and 441 (85.6%) had a high school education or higher, reflecting the county's demographics. About half of the participants (47%) reported mild/moderate to severe depression. The regression model estimation results reveal that female participants, those not in full-time employment, and individuals with disabilities were more likely to feel depressed after COVID-19. Middle-aged adults demonstrated greater resilience to depression compared to other age groups. Notably, non-Hispanic participants in the study reported higher levels of depression compared to their Hispanic counterparts. Additionally, COVID-19-related experiences, such as testing positive for the virus, being hospitalized, or having a history of depression before COVID-19, were associated with higher levels of reported depression. COVID-19 has significantly impacted the mental health of this predominantly U.S.-born Hispanic/Latinx community. These findings can assist healthcare providers and policymakers in developing targeted strategies to tailor interventions aimed at enhancing mental health well-being, reducing disparities, and fostering overall improvement within the Hispanic/Latinx community.

Fast Track Intervention Effects and Mechanisms of Action Through Established Adulthood.

Early preventive interventions can improve outcomes in childhood, but the most effective interventions can continue to deliver benefits through the life course. The Fast Track intervention, a randomized controlled trial for children at risk of conduct problems, has lowered psychopathology, substance use problems, and criminality and elevated happiness at age 25. However, research has not studied whether the intervention's effects continue further into established adulthood. In addition, little is known about the mechanisms through which the intervention may affect adult outcomes. We attempted to answer both questions by simultaneously estimating the intervention's direct effect on adult outcomes at age 31 and the intervention's indirect effects on those outcomes via interpersonal, intrapersonal, and academic competencies gained through the intervention. Participants included the Fast Track intervention (n = 445; 72.4% male) and high-risk control samples (n = 446; 66.4% male). Direct and total effects of random assignment to Fast Track on age 31 outcomes were not significant. However, our analyses showed that Fast Track's improvements to interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in childhood served as catalysts for better life outcomes at age 31. Higher interpersonal skills led to fewer externalizing, internalizing, and substance use problems, reduced criminality and sexual partners, in addition toincreased general health and full-time employment. Improved intrapersonal skills led to greater strength. There were no significant indirect pathways via academic skills. Our findings inform understanding of how a childhood preventive intervention can improve adjustment and behaviors into established adulthood.

Co-resident grandparent and maternal employment. A Northern Ireland cross-sectional administrative data analysis

The trade-off between the costs of childcare provision and the benefits of having an increased proportion of women, particularly women with dependent children, in employment is one of the most taxing social issues for Western governments. In countries like Northern Ireland, the limited subsidised childcare provision for preschool and primary school children has been partially offset by a rise in informal childcare though this has been considerably hard to assess both in terms of magnitude and effect. Using the entire 2011 Census cohort of mothers with children aged 1 to 16 years of age, we argue that co-resident grandparents have a substantial positive impact on maternal labour force participation in Northern Ireland. The presence of a co-resident grandparent was associated with an increase of 3.7 percentage points in employment for single-parent mothers and 2 percentage points for mothers in two-parent households. Mothers with co-resident grandparents report an increase of 2.7 percentage points for a single mother and of 3.7 percentage points for a mother in a two-parent household being in full-time employment than mothers without. Overall, the presence of a co-resident grandparent was associated with at least a 3.2 percentage point increase in labour force participation among mothers with primary-school-age children.

Work-integrated learning in the humanities, arts and social sciences: where to from here?

ABSTRACT Amidst increasing pressures on Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines regarding graduate career readiness, this study examines HASS student participation in work-integrated learning (WIL) and its impacts on employability and short-term employment outcomes, using data from the Australian Graduate Outcomes Survey from 2020 to 2023. The research examined the extent of participation across WIL types (work-based, non-workplace and global) and its influence on graduates’ perceived employability and employment outcomes (full-time employment and perceived overqualification), while investigating demographic differences using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models. Results indicated rising WIL participation yet identified disparities by activity type and among student groups. Work-based WIL (e.g. internships) was the most effective type for enhancing employability and facilitating transitions into professional roles and work aligned to degree study. Non-workplace WIL (e.g. projects), while beneficial for skill development, showed limited impact on immediate employment outcomes and there was relatively low participation in global WIL (e.g. industry study tours) across all discipline groups. The study illuminates the need for more inclusive WIL programmes and flexible models to accommodate diverse student needs. Recommendations for HASS faculties include integrating career development learning, optimising industry engagement and providing targeted support for underrepresented groups. By aligning WIL experiences with emerging labour market opportunities, HASS faculties can prepare graduates for successful careers, addressing both individual aspirations and broader economic needs. Future research regarding WIL in HASS could focus on postgraduate participation and industry perspectives on scaling programmes to ensure initiatives effectively bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

Prevalence of the Unmet Needs and its Predictors among Working Mothers of Children with Epilepsy Attending Specialist Hospitals in Kelantan

INTRODUCTION: Unmet needs arise when everyday assistance is lacking. Epilepsy's unpredictability creates significant work-family conflict for working women, potentially leading to increased unmet needs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors related with the unmet needs of working mothers with children with epilepsy (CWE) in Kelantan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A crosssectional study using the validated Malay version of the Family Needs Survey questionnaire was conducted among 204 working mothers aged 18 to 60 of CWE attending specialist hospitals in Kelantan. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The highest unmet need was for community services (81.6%), followed by information (71.9%), social support (53.1%), financial (43.2%), explaining to others (28.9%), and family functioning (28.4%). Having follow-ups at tertiary hospitals reduced the unmet need score for information (B=-0.669, 95%CI=-1.276,0.081, p=0.021) and social support (B=-1.454, 95%CI=-2.225, -0.683, p=<0.001). Living in nuclear types of family reduced the unmet need score for community services (B=-0.669, 95%CI=-1.276,0.081, p=0.021) and information (B=-1.216, 95%CI=-1.965,-0.466, p=0.002). Working in the government sector increased the unmet need score for social support (B=0.437, 95% CI=0.062, 1.454, p=0.033). Full-time employment (B=-0.761, 95%CI=-1.244,-0.279, p=0.002) reduced the unmet need score for family functioning. Contract employment status (B=0.566, 95%CI=0.074,1.058, p=0.024) increased the unmet need score for family functioning. CONCLUSION: Mothers of CWE working in the government sector, under contract employment, and seeking follow-up care in secondary hospitals were related to higher unmet needs. The study findings may assist policymakers in introducing a child-friendly employment policy and flexible working arrangements among working parents of children with chronic illnesses such as epilepsy.

Investigating the Relationship between Communication Skills of Treatment Staff and Patient’s Safety Culture: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: One of the most important effective factors in increasing patient satisfaction and improving health and treatment results is proper communication between physician and nurse, and the patient. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between the communication skills of the medical staff and patient’s safety culture. Methods: This was an analytical study conducted among 277 working medical staff including nurses, paramedics, full-time geographical employment doctors and anesthesia, and operating room technicians in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd by stratified random sampling in 2022. The instrument used was the safety culture standard questionnaire made by the health care quality and research agency and communication skills of Barton J. Data analysis was done with SPSS 25 software, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple linear regression tests. Results: The overall mean and standard deviation of patient safety culture was 3.04 ± 0.23, which indicates the average status of safety culture in the studied hospital, and the overall mean of communication skills among medical staff was 3.36 ± 0.40. Which reports a relatively strong level of this skill. The results of linear regression showed that 2 components of communication skills (listening and feedback) have a positive and significant effect on the improvement of patient safety culture, so that they are able to explain 33 percent of the variance of patient safety culture changes. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, the communication skills of the medical staff have a significant effect on patient's safety culture. Therefore, in order to improve the patient’s safety culture among them, special attention should be paid to communication skills because effective communication is considered a vital element in effective care, and in the medical system it has a significant effect on the quality of care and consequently increases the satisfaction of patients.

Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum: associations with mode of conception and demographic and obstetric factors

ABSTRACT An increasing number of women are conceiving through assisted reproductive technology; however, few studies have investigated their mental health after successful conception. This study investigated the changes in depressive symptoms in women using assisted reproductive technology and the association between the mode of conception and perinatal depressive symptoms. A longitudinal observational study was conducted from 2015 to 2019, 542 pregnant women completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms at eight timepoints during the prepregnancy, pregnancy and first-year postpartum periods. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. A generalized estimating equation regression model was employed for repeated measures. In the assisted reproductive technology group, depressive symptoms were more prevalent during early pregnancy and at 1 month postpartum than before pregnancy, and more prevalent before pregnancy and at 1 month after childbirth than in the spontaneous conception group. No significant association was identified between the mode of conception and depressive symptoms during the antenatal or postnatal period. The lack of full-time employment and prepregnancy depressive symptoms were associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. Primipara status and depressive symptoms during prepregnancy and pregnancy were associated with depressive symptoms during the first-year postpartum. Assisted reproductive technology was not a risk factor for depressive symptoms during the pregnancy and postpartum periods, whereas primipara status, lack of full-time employment and prepregnancy depressive symptoms were negative predictors. Therefore, targeted mental health interventions should address these specific factors to effectively support maternal mental health.

Changes in 10-Year Predicted Cardiovascular Disease Risk for a Multiethnic Semirural Population in South East Asia: Prospective Study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors tend to cluster and interact multiplicatively and have been incorporated into risk equations such as the Framingham risk score, which can reasonably predict CVD over short- and long-term periods. Beyond risk factor levels at a single time point, recent evidence demonstrated that risk trajectories are differentially related to CVD risk. However, factors associated with suboptimal control or unstable CVD risk trajectories are not yet established. This study aims to examine factors associated with CVD risk trajectories in a semirural, multiethnic community-dwelling population. Data on demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, mental health, and cardiovascular factors were measured at baseline (2013) and during follow-up (2018) of the South East Asia Community Observatory cohort. The 10-year CVD risk change transition was computed. The trajectory patterns identified were improved; remained unchanged in low, moderate, or high CVD risk clusters; and worsened CVD risk trajectories. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association between risk factors and changes in Framingham risk score and predicted CVD risk trajectory patterns with adjustments for concurrent risk factors. Of the 6599 multiethnic community-dwelling individuals (n=3954, 59.92% female participants and n=2645, 40.08% male participants; mean age 55.3, SD 10.6 years), CVD risk increased over time in 33.37% (n=2202) of the sample population, while 24.38% (n=1609 remained in the high-risk trajectory pattern, which was reflected by the increased prevalence of all major CVD risk factors over the 5-year follow-up. Meanwhile, sex-specific prevalence data indicate that 21.44% (n=567) of male and 41.35% (n=1635) of female participants experienced an increase in CVD risk. However, a stark sex difference was observed in those remaining in the high CVD risk cluster, with 45.1% (n=1193) male participants and 10.52% (n=416) female participants. Regarding specific CVD risk factors, male participants exhibited a higher percentage increase in the prevalence of hypertension, antihypertensive medication use, smoking, and obesity, while female participants showed a higher prevalence of diabetes. Further regression analyses identified that Malay compared to Chinese (P<.001) and Indian (P=.04) ethnicity, nonmarried status (P<.001), full-time employment (P<.001), and depressive symptoms (P=.04) were all significantly associated with increased CVD risk scores. In addition, lower educational levels and frequently having meals from outside were significantly associated to higher odds of both worsening and remaining in high CVD risk trajectories. Sociodemographics and mental health were found to be differently associated with CVD risk trajectories, warranting future research to disentangle the role of psychosocial disparities in CVD. Our findings carry public health implications, suggesting that the rise in major risk factors along with psychosocial disparities could potentially elevate CVD risk among individuals in underserved settings. More prevention efforts that continuously monitor CVD risk and consider changes in risk factors among vulnerable populations should be emphasized.

Quality of life following Covid-19 vaccination in Lebanese adults

Background: This study investigates the quality of life (QoL) among individuals in Lebanon post-COVID-19 vaccination, focusing on various demographic and lifestyle factors influencing physical, psychological, social, and environmental health domains. Objective: To explore the associations between COVID-19 vaccination status and QoL across four sub-scales: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental quality, examining the impact of gender, tobacco and alcohol consumption, chronic diseases, physical activity, employment status, education level, geographic location, and marital status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 507 Lebanese adults who completed a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and QoL using a standardized measurement tool. Statistical analysis, including bivariate analysis, was performed to determine significant associations between independent variables and QoL scores across the four domains. Results: The majority of participants were female (71.6%), non-smokers (83%), and non-drinkers (76.7%). Most had no chronic diseases (83%), and 42.4% engaged in regular physical activity. High educational attainment (80.5% with graduate or professional degrees) and full-time employment (77%) were prevalent. Significant associations were found between gender and all QoL domains, with males reporting higher scores. Physical health scores were higher among non-drinkers, the physically active, independent workers, and vaccinated individuals. Psychological health was better in males, the physically active, and independent workers. Social relationships were stronger among males, independent workers, and those in relationships. Environmental quality was higher among males, non-drinkers, independent workers, and those with no formal education. Vaccination status positively influenced physical health and showed near-significant effects on social relationships and environmental quality. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination is associated with improved QoL in Lebanon, particularly in physical health. The findings highlight the importance of considering socio-economic factors and lifestyle choices in public health strategies to enhance overall well-being. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts and address the specific needs of diverse populations.

Promotion of Self-employment: Manager Justifications for Online Labor Platform Operations

The emergence of online labor platforms (OLPs) has raised concerns about the treatment of platform workers and the legality of OLPs’ contractual relations and control. This study examines how managers (CEOs/founders) justify OLPs’ contractual relations and market control within the frames of critical platform work discussions and the Finnish labor market model. By using justification theory and market control classification as analytical tools, this qualitative study reveals that managers justify OLPs’ control and contractual relations by referring to critical discussions and features of Finnish labor market model. In justifications, managers either adopt the normative features of the model or criticize the societal neglect of self-employed workers. The model’s emphasis on full-time employment and legal questions around the platform economy seems to challenge the legitimacy of all OLP companies on some level. Despite OLPs’ operational differences, all managers justify OLPs with the idea of promoting self-employment within the Finnishlabor market.

Transitioning from Full-time Employment to Entrepreneurship: How Networking Affect Entrepreneurial Survival and Success

Transitioning from Full-time Employment to Entrepreneurship: How Networking Affect Entrepreneurial Survival and Success

Modeling the relative influence of socio-demographic variables on post-acute COVID-19 quality of life.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, referred to as "long COVID", are a globally pervasive threat. While their many clinical determinants are commonly considered, their plausible social correlates are often overlooked. To compare social and clinical predictors of differences in quality of life (QoL) with long COVID. Additionally, to measure how much adjusted associations between social factors and long COVID-associated quality of life are unexplained by important clinical intermediates. Data from the ISARIC long COVID multi-country prospective cohort study. Subjects from Norway, the United Kingdom (UK), and Russia, aged 16 and above, with confirmed acute SARS-CoV-2 infection reporting >= 1 long COVID-associated symptoms 1+ month following infection. The social exposures considered were educational attainment (Norway), employment status (UK and Russia), and female vs male sex (all countries). Quality of life-adjusted days, or QALDs, with long COVID. This cohort study included a total of 3891 participants. In all three countries, educational attainment, employment status, and female sex were important predictors of long COVID QALDs. Furthermore, a majority of the estimated relationships between each of these social correlates and long COVID QALDs could not be attributed to key long COVID-predicting comorbidities. In Norway, 90% (95% CI: 77%, 100%) of the adjusted association between the top two quintiles of educational attainment and long COVID QALDs was not explained by clinical intermediates. The same was true for 86% (73%, 100%) and 93% (80%,100%) of the adjusted associations between full-time employment and long COVID QALDs in the United Kingdom (UK) and Russia. Additionally, 77% (46%,100%) and 73% (52%, 94%) of the adjusted associations between female sex and long COVID QALDs in Norway and the UK were unexplained by the clinical mediators. This study highlights the role of socio-economic status indicators and female sex, in line with or beyond commonly cited clinical conditions, as predictors of long COVID-associated QoL, and further reveal that other (non-clinical) mechanisms likely drive their observed relationships. Our findings point to the importance of COVID interventions which go further than an exclusive focus on comorbidity management in order to help redress inequalities in experiences with this chronic disease.

Motherhood Penalty and Labour Market Integration of Immigrant Women: A Review on Evidence from Four OECD Countries

Among several reasons preventing the effective labour market integration of immigrant women, the motherhood penalty and unpaid care responsibilities stand out prominently. In line with this, the present scoping review shows how motherhood affects the labour market integration of immigrant women in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. This review shows that parenthood exacerbates the gender pay gap and limits labour market access, favouring men with children over immigrant mothers. Moreover, the effect of the motherhood penalty might be moderated by the level of education, age of the children, and the country of origin/ethnicity of immigrants. In the four countries examined, labour market outcomes for immigrant women are particularly poor. Factors contributing to this include limited language proficiency, traditional gender norms that restrict the full-time employment of certain groups of immigrant women, and institutional barriers like work-permit processing delays. To address these challenges, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA have implemented various policies facilitating immigrant mothers’ workforce participation. These measures include language and legal-system education, subsidised childcare, and integration programmes for both mothers and children. Additionally, some programmes in Canada and the USA provide employment assistance and financial support for childcare, while Australia and the UK offer comprehensive integration and settlement services.

Flexibility in jobs and autonomy on saving: Mental accounting of personal pension saving decision in Chinese part-time employees

The progression of the digital economy has led to a rise in the adoption of slash occupations by an expanding demographic, resulting in a more diverse wage structure. A portion of the wage is derived from full-time employment, while the remainder is part-time. This study uses a new China-specific survey dataset to investigate the impact of part-time wages (PTW) and full-time wages (FTW) on "autonomous" personal pension savings. The results are as follows: (1) The marginal impact of part-time wages on personal pension savings is significantly greater than that of full-time wages, which challenges the concept of monetary interchangeability and introduces the notion of mental accounting. (2) The mental account impact arises when part-time compensation is associated with "flexibility" in alignment with the prioritization of "autonomy" in individual pension savings. This result remains valid after statistical analysis and the elimination of alternative hypotheses. (3) There appears to be a threshold effect, as the effect of mental accounts on the relationship between part-time wages and personal pension savings progressively diminishes with increasing savings motivation but abruptly weakens as the proportion of part-time income increases. However, the mental account effect does not diminish with an increase in personal pension saving amount; rather, it amplifies. The mental account effect, according to this paper, signifies the emergence of individualistic consciousness, affords the opportunity for personal pension schemes, and is a crucial transitional step from "procedural" to "substantive" reason.

Correlates of intention-to-attend and confirmed cervical screening attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Findings from Compass-PLUS, a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe coronavirus pandemic impacted health-seeking behaviour and access to primary care in Australia. We investigated factors associated with intention-to-attend and attendance of cervical screening during the pandemic, mainly in Victoria, Australia. MethodsWe used questionnaire and attendance data (Aug 2020-Nov 2022) from Compass-PLUS, a sub-study of the Compass randomized-controlled trial of Human Papillomavirus-based vs cytology-based screening. Data was restricted to the HPV-screening arm for comparability to the national program. We investigated associations overall and for younger (25–39 years) and older (≥40 years) cohorts, between intention-to-attend/attendance, and socio-demographics, anxiety-related scores, and agreement with beliefs about screening during the pandemic (e.g. importance of screening, increased workload, working from home, risk of infection). ResultsAmong 2,226 participants, positive intention to attend screening was more likely among those with a family history of cancer (p = 0.030) or living outside major cities (p = 0.024). Increased attendance was associated with increasing age (p < 0.001), prior regular cervical screening history [adjusted relative risk (aRR) for 2 screens in 6 years vs none: 1.23 (95 %CI 1.09,1.40); p < 0.001], and part-time employment or retirement compared to full-time employment [aRR:1.08 (1.02,1.14); aRR:1.12 (1.03, 1.22); respectively]. Lower attendance was related to increased agreement with statements indicating screening de-prioritisation (p-trend < 0.05) and higher recent anxiety, specifically in the older cohort (p-trend = 0.002). ConclusionsReduced priority of screening and heightened recent anxiety may partly explain indications of lower-than-expected cervical screening rates during the pandemic. It is important that catch-up of missed HPV screens is performed to prevent a possible increase in cancer diagnoses in the long term.

The Evolution of Employment Law in the Gig Economy

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to explore the evolution of employment law in the gig economy. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the evolution of employment law in the gig economy. Preliminary empirical review revealed that traditional employment laws were insufficient for addressing the unique needs of gig workers, who face significant gaps in legal protections and benefits. The rise of gig work exposed flaws in existing legal frameworks, which were designed for permanent, full-time employment and fail to accommodate the flexible and often precarious nature of gig jobs. It was determined that existing laws needed substantial reform to better protect gig workers while maintaining the flexibility that defines gig work, emphasizing the need for updated legal frameworks that reflect the realities of modern employment. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Theory of Precarious Work, Flexicurity Theory and the Labor Market Segmentation Theory may be used to anchor future studies on the evolution of employment law. The study recommended several key reforms to address the shortcomings in the legal framework for gig workers. It suggested developing hybrid employment models that combine traditional benefits with the flexibility of gig work, reforming legal classifications to better fit gig work patterns, and enhancing regulatory frameworks to be more adaptive to technological and market changes. The study also advocated for promoting worker representation, implementing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of reforms, encouraging international collaboration for harmonized regulations, and launching education and awareness initiatives to inform gig workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. These recommendations aimed to create a more equitable and effective labor market for gig workers.