Healthy Workplace Research Articles

Ergonomic analysis in nuclear decommissioning: A comprehensive path planning strategy for workers well-being

Recent studies on path planning in nuclear decommissioning focus on efficient algorithms, often overlooking workers’ physical and cognitive well-being. However, there is a need to consider the effect of the paths recommended by algorithms on workers’ health to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study introduces a computational dynamic body map tool designed to assess and monitor musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in high-risk decommissioning environments. Utilizing color-coded body maps, the study identifies key ergonomic risk factors and their impact on different body parts. The strategy begins by identifying job tasks requiring ergonomic assessment, distilling the tasks into different activities and the time spent on each activity, and using the result to dynamically compute the average pain severity experienced by workers across different body parts. Subsequent body mapping, hazard surveys, and structured interviews are used to rank workplace risks and worker-specific risk factors. The major contribution of this work is the development of a computational dynamic tool to regularly track worker body maps regularly, ensuring optimal performance. To evaluate the proposed strategy, the study utilized data from a 35-response online MSD questionnaire for safety professionals. To demonstrate the methodology across diverse roles, 10 worker examples were analyzed, aligning with 5 key IAEA nuclear decommissioning categories. Analysis of the computational dynamic body map data reveals specific pain distributions among workers. The most severe pain occurs in the lower back (13.08 %), followed by the right wrist/hand (10 %), the right shoulder, the left elbow (8.46 % each), the left shoulder, the upper back (7.69 % each), the neck and the left wrist/hand (6.92 % each). The findings further reveal that the 36–45 years age category experiences the most pain. In addition, awkward posture was found in the study to be the most likely ergonomic risk factor affecting workers. The results show that incorporating ergonomics into path planning aids risk-informed decision-making for ergonomic interventions and continuous monitoring to maintain a safe and healthier workplace. Integrating the tool presented in this work with a conventional path-planning algorithm provides a comprehensive path-planning strategy for nuclear decommissioning.

Promoting Knowledge Dissemination and Sharing Via Interactive Research: Pioneering an EvidenceBased Approach to Enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Implementa-tion

Effective occupational health and safety (OHS) practices play a crucial role in preserving the health and safety of employees in the workplace. In this context, the effectiveness and efficiency of OHS practices require the continuous integration of up-to-date and evidence-based information. Occupational health and safety are constantly faced with new threats, making it vital for OHS practices to remain current and adaptable. In this regard, this study aims to explore the potential of interactive research methods to support knowledge transfer and exchange within the field of OHS. Compared to traditional methods of sharing information, interactive research encourages a more profound exchange of knowledge among OHS practitioners. This fosters the rapid adaptation and more effective implementation of OHS strategies in workplaces. Particularly noteworthy is the promotion of real-time information sharing among OHS practitioners, enabling swift responses to emergencies or emerging risks. Interactive research methods also have the capacity to establish a collaborative platform among OHS professionals, decision-makers, and researchers. This approach not only encourages more informed decision-making in OHS matters but also enhances the more effective management of workplace risks. The continuous improvement and updating of OHS practices further contribute to providing better protection for the health and safety of employees. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the need for OHS professionals, decision-makers, and researchers to embrace interactive research methods to create safer and healthier work environments. These methods contribute to the ongoing enhancement of OHS practices and aid in minimizing workplace risks. This innovative approach within the field of OHS plays a pivotal role in achieving the goal of creating safer and healthier workplaces in the future.

Toward the design of persuasive systems for a healthy workplace: a real-time posture detection.

Persuasive technologies, in connection with human factor engineering requirements for healthy workplaces, have played a significant role in ensuring a change in human behavior. Healthy workplaces suggest different best practices applicable to body posture, proximity to the computer system, movement, lighting conditions, computer system layout, and other significant psychological and cognitive aspects. Most importantly, body posture suggests how users should sit or stand in workplaces in line with best and healthy practices. In this study, we developed two study phases (pilot and main) using two deep learning models: convolutional neural networks (CNN) and Yolo-V3. To train the two models, we collected posture datasets from creative common license YouTube videos and Kaggle. We classified the dataset into comfortable and uncomfortable postures. Results show that our YOLO-V3 model outperformed CNN model with a mean average precision of 92%. Based on this finding, we recommend that YOLO-V3 model be integrated in the design of persuasive technologies for a healthy workplace. Additionally, we provide future implications for integrating proximity detection taking into consideration the ideal number of centimeters users should maintain in a healthy workplace.

The Influence of Physical Workplace Environment (PWE) for A Healthy Culture of Employees

The paper reviews the influence of the physical workplace environment (PWE) on the organisational culture of employees that can affect the employees’ performance, well-being, satisfaction, engagement, and creativity. It emphasises that the physical environment can reflect and shape the organisational culture, which is the shared values, beliefs, and norms that influence how employees interact and work. A healthy workplace environment of an organisation will influence the innovation and collaboration between employees, decrease absenteeism and increase the performance of employees. The paper employs analytical reviews of the related articles to justify the influences of the physical workplace environment on employees’ well-being in the organisational culture. The content analysis is used to analyse the literature framework of the article. The findings revealed the significance of the physical workplace environment on employees who are well-equipped with positive environment support, who will be highly satisfied and show a high level of commitment towards the organisation. It is essential to design a physical workplace environment aligned with the organisational culture and supporting the employee's needs and preferences. A well-designed physical workplace environment can enhance the organisation’s communication, collaboration, innovation, and productivity and influence the employees’ attitudes, behaviours, and outcomes

Unmasking the Shadows: Examining Workplace Violence in South Korea

Workplace violence has been an emerging issue in South Korea, garnering both social and scholarly interest over the past decades. Since the early 2000s, the country has witnessed thousands of cases of workplace violence in various sectors of work that range from big, high-profile cases to smaller-scale incidents. In fact, this issue already seems to be deeply ingrained in South Korean society as one in four workers reported having experienced workplace violence in the last year (Lee, 2023). Therefore, reflecting the rapidly growing recognition of and attention on workplace violence, this paper examines the historical background, causes, different types of violence in various sectors of work, consequences, and past attempted solutions of workplace violence. A lack of studies and resolutions was identified in the process of research. Therefore, active government intervention and social involvement in combating workplace violence as well as promoting a healthy workplace environment seems vital.

Foreign Workers and Human Rights Violations: Malaysia’s Response to COVID-19 and The Way Forward

Foreign workforce has significantly contributed to Malaysia’s economy, and this country has been relying on them for decades. Unfortunately, Malaysia was already entangled with the country’s treatment of foreign workers even before the onset of COVID-19. As a government suppression attempt to flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve, Malaysian efforts to deal with the situation seem to be at the lowest point. Despite the government’s commitment not to detain them throughout the screening process, foreign workers have been held in immigration depots regardless of their legal status. In addition, the overcrowded immigration depot makes it hard to exercise physical distance, hampers the quarantine process, and unequal health care facilities in detention centres. This situation captured worldwide attention since it violated human rights legislation. The protection of workers’ rights is also in tandem with the United Declaration of Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG) 8.8, encouraging and ensuring everyone’s right to a safe and healthy workplace is protected. This paper employed thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 9 software to evaluate the government’s suppression efforts and human rights violations during COVID-19. The findings propose numerous suggestions, including an emergency review of the admission process for foreign workers to Malaysia. The inconsistency in the government policy had hampered the country’s mission of becoming a developed nation. It thus hindered the advancement of innovation and technology, as in the Twelfth Malaysian Plan and Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Stemming the tide: linking AI technology with workers retention

PurposeThe objective of this research is to examine the association of artificial intelligence (AI) awareness on workers' retention and the boundary conditions in the context of project organizations.Design/methodology/approachWe collected time-lagged data from project organizations in China.FindingsThe results showed that AI awareness predicted workers' turnover intention. Moreover, this association was moderated via supervisor support.Practical implicationsThis research provides several practical implications aimed at timely communication, training and automation guide for helping firms to foster healthy workplace climate, support and workers’ retention.Originality/valueThe rise of AI and its potential impact on manpower is a popular topic. Yet, the evidence of project workers’ awareness of such potential effects on their retention is scant. Therefore, this study broadens our understanding of the association of AI awareness on turnover intention and boundary conditions in the context of project organizations.

Ameliorating the profound gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members: The could and should

This research aims to discover the challenges and propose effective strategies to empower women by ameliorating the gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members. The study applied document review analysis and conducted focus group discussions, where thirty female professionals in the AEC industry from APEC participated. The results report four challenges contributing to the gender wage gap, namely gender bias and stereotyping, work-family conflicts, physical strength and lack of transparency. Based on the challenges, the study suggests several key strategies focusing on women's participation in the AEC industry, encouraging gender-friendly workplaces, healthy and safe workplaces, and fair career development opportunities to reduce the gender wage gap effectively. The findings suggest that by increasing awareness of the value of women's involvement in the AEC industry, pragmatic policies should be formulated for APEC members to break down the barriers to the gender wage gap.

The impact of ISO 45001 on firms' performance: An empirical analysis

AbstractThe aim of this study is to shed light on the relationship between ISO 45001 adoption and firm performance. To explore the issue, we conduct an event study and a weighted least squares regression on a dataset of 157 publicly listed companies – operating in various countries and sectors – that have given public announcement of the attainment of the ISO 45001 certification. The results show that, when compared to non‐adopters, ISO 45001‐certified companies display better performance in terms of productivity and profitability, while no significant differences emerge for sales. The effects of ISO 45001 adoption are significantly influenced by industry‐ and company‐related contextual factors. The study contributes to the academic literature by developing the first large‐scale empirical investigation on the performance implications of ISO 45001. Furthermore, it informs managers that by ensuring healthy and safe workplaces companies can also achieve higher financial performance.

Yoga, a mindfulness therapy to prevent PTSD as to encompass athletes' performance.

Yoga is one of the physical and mental activities used in elite sports training for risk prevention and medical rehabilitation in case of injuries caused by overtraining or accidents. This study examined the opinions of Romanian elite athletes and coaches on the feasibility of incorporating yoga practice into training regimens for purposes of injury prevention and medical recovery. This study surveyed a group of 500 athletes, coaches, and medical personnel from three universities in Romania, all of which are part of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (PES). An online survey was administered which evaluates athletes' experience of yoga integration in pre/post training and its positive effects on reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The data were then analyzed with a structural equation model utilizing SmartPLS software. According to the survey, Romanian athletes use yoga both before and after competitions to improve their focus, balance, muscle, and joint elasticity, foster a winning mindset, control their emotions and PTSD, visualize their competition performance, and see themselves as winners. The survey also found that yoga is seen as useful for cardiac rehabilitation, neuropathic pain, pulmonary disease, orthopedic illness, muscle strain, and managing symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study contributes to enhancing athletes' mindfulness and health, offering valuable insights to trainers and athletes interested in incorporating yoga into professional sports activity. The results support the notion that yoga integration in training activity promises to positively influence athletes' performance and reduce collateral side effects of competitions. The results are also in line with the objectives of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPPA) - with the theme of "being more efficient to prevent than to treat" - which places special emphasis on the demands for certain programs and services, sports coverage, and healthy workplace initiatives. The study further indicates that Romanian elite athletes and coaches support the use of yoga is an effective method for enhancing athletic training and medical therapy for post-traumatic illnesses and stress disorders.

Multilevel Mindfulness: Which Organizational Factors Stimulate Mindfulness in the Workplace?

This study aimed to examine which factors in the organizational context stimulate and/or hinder employee mindfulness. Methods: Two methods were used: 1) scientific literature review, and 2) qualitative interviews with scientists, trainers, and managers. Results: The individual and the work environment interact with each other when it comes to mindfulness in the workplace. Factors at the task, team, supervisor, organizational, and context level stimulate employee mindfulness. Conclusions: Mindfulness is effective in dealing with stress but also positively impacts work-related outcomes such as engagement, concentration, and productivity. A multilevel approach can strengthen the positive effects of individual mindfulness training in the workplace, ultimately contributing to healthy workplaces.

Organizational change: Implications of directive change management

This article explores the implications of directive change management, characterized by top-down leadership and minimal employee involvement, on organizational dynamics, employee morale, and job security. This approach’s psychological and operational impacts are underscored, emphasizing the imperative of addressing employee perceptions and fostering trust. Strategies for rebuilding trust and enhancing morale post-directive change management are presented, including transparent communication, participative decision-making, and recognition of employee contributions. The significance of enhancing job security through clear policies, open dialogue, and robust mental health and well-being support systems is highlighted. Practices that encourage job dedication are introduced, emphasizing goal alignment, meaningful work design, and a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Long-term strategies for cultivating a healthy workplace, such as establishing feedback mechanisms, investing in leadership development, and maintaining organizational adaptability, are also discussed. This brief article is an introductory resource for business leaders, managers, and change practitioners seeking to be better equipped with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate the post-implementation effects of directive change management. It is anticipated that this information can assist leaders and organizations in navigating the challenges of directive change management, promoting resilience, employee well-being, and sustainable organizational success.

Marriott Hotel’s Practices in Mitigating Discrimination Through Inclusionary Employee Resource Groups

Human resources experts play a crucial role in fostering safe, healthy, and equitable workplaces, emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and anti-discrimination. Marriott International serves as a prime example by prioritizing ongoing education to create a diverse and inclusive workforce, empowering employees to cater to a global clientele. Their initiatives inspire and educate HR professionals from other companies while reinforcing Marriott's commitment to bias reduction through continuous training in areas like unconscious bias, cultural competency, harassment prevention, and prejudice awareness. Marriott's dedication extends to providing resources and training to address workplace discrimination, promoting tolerance and diversity. The company's unwavering focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion underscores the importance of senior management support and consistent promotion of these values. Marriott's transparency in disclosing diverse data sets a benchmark for organizational growth, serving as a guiding principle for HR professionals to drive similar initiatives in their respective organizations. Ultimately, Marriott's efforts illustrate the potential for creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces globally, where employees are valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Ameliorating the profound gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members: The could and should

This research aims to discover the challenges and propose effective strategies to empower women by ameliorating the gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members. The study applied document review analysis and conducted focus group discussions, where thirty female professionals in the AEC industry from APEC participated. The results report four challenges contributing to the gender wage gap, namely gender bias and stereotyping, work-family conflicts, physical strength and lack of transparency. Based on the challenges, the study suggests several key strategies focusing on women's participation in the AEC industry, encouraging genderfriendly workplaces, healthy and safe workplaces, and fair career development opportunities to reduce the gender wage gap effectively. The findings suggest that by increasing awareness of the value of women's involvement in the AEC industry, pragmatic policies should be formulated for APEC members to break down the barriers to the gender wage gap.

The Mediating Role of Stress Between Workload, Work Environment, and Performance of Factory Workers

Research Aim: This study investigates the influence of workload and work environment on employee performance, with work stress serving as the mediator Approach: The study employed a quantitative approach using SEM-PLS analysis. The sample included 75 factory workers selected through census sampling conducted from February to June 2023 at PT PSB, a manufacturing firm in Medan, North Sumatra Findings: Findings reveal that workload and work environment positively impact employee performance, mediated by work stress Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research contributes to the literature by exploring work stress as a mediator in enhancing the understanding of employee performance within the manufacturing sector Policy Implication: Recommendations include PT PSB and similar companies prioritizing plant workers' stress levels, monitoring workload, and fostering a healthy workplace environment Research Limitation: The scope of the study was limited by the number of respondents and the factors considered in assessing employee productivity

안전관리전문기관 종사자의 직무환경이 직무만족에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

On November 30, 2022, the government also unveiled the “Serious Accidents Reduction Roadmap,” emphasizing collaboration between safety management agencies and private accident prevention agencies, and governance for a safe and healthy workplace. This study, based on Article 17, Paragraph 5 of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, involves 361 workers in workplaces with 50 to 300 regular workers who have delegated safety management tasks to safety management agencies. The study aims to improve job satisfaction by enhancing the working environment of workers performing safety management tasks through high-quality safety management technical guidance, inspection, and other services. Using the KOSS basic form of KOSHA GUIDE H-67-2022, “Guidelines for Measuring Job Stress Factors,” the research method involved surveying workers in four areas and 18 items. The study hypothesized that job environmental factors significantly influence job satisfaction, with safety environment, job autonomy, and workplace culture reconstructed as independent variables and job satisfaction as the dependent variable. The results showed that job environmental factors explained 46.1% of job satisfaction (R² = 0.461). The regression model was appropriate at F = 101.788 ( =0.001). The impact of job environmental factors on job satisfaction revealed significant positive effects for safety environment (β = 0.126, p < 0.01), job autonomy (β = 0.332, p < 0.001), and workplace culture (β = 0.381, p < 0.001). The relative impact indicated that workplace culture, job autonomy, and safety environment ranked in descending order. The study concluded that improving job environmental factors in safety management entrusted workplaces through specialized technical guidance and inspections positively impacts job satisfaction. Urgent attention from individuals, institutions, and the government is necessary, alongside institutional improvements, to prevent and reduce industrial accidents in safety management entrusted workplaces.

TOWARDS ORGANIZATIONAL FLOURISHING: PRIORITIZING EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Employee well-being is crucial for a healthy and pleasant workplace, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The definition of work has evolved, with flexible terms encompassing location and time. To foster a healthy organization, inclusive working employees well-being is essential. Studies highlight the importance of workplace spirituality, moral leadership, and health-oriented tactics in supporting employee well-being. Integrating well-being treatments into daily routines can improve employee resilience. Ethics and social responsibility are also essential in fostering employee health. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need to address stress and family conflict at the work-family interface. A healthy work environment is essential for improving employee wellness and productivity. This study investigates the relationship between employee well-being and organizational health, focusing on employee perceptions, organizational support, and effectiveness of initiatives. The goal is to inform strategies and interventions to enhance employee well-being and organizational health. KEYWORDS : Healthy organizations, employee well-being, leadership, inclusive environment

Burnout as a multidimensional phenomenon: how can workplaces be healthy environments?

Abstract Purpose Burnout was already a significant problem before the pandemic, but in the aftermath became a serious concern and a public health and occupational health priority. This study had two aims. First, we investigated how different healthy workplace dimensions and other health individual-level variables are related to burnout. Second, we examined differences in terms of presenteeism, absenteeism, and quality of life between employees who report burnout symptoms and those who do not. Methods Participants were 1702 Portuguese employees from various organizations; 69.68% were female, age ranged from 18 to 72 years (mean = 43.25 years, SD = 10.40). Almost half of the participants (49.9%; 851 participants) reported having at least one burnout symptom. Results Participants reported that they have felt exhausted (43.7%), irritated (34.5%) and sad (30.5%) always or very often in the last 4 weeks. Regression analysis revealed that the global score on burnout symptoms was negatively related to leadership engagement, psychosocial work environment, personal health resources, health behaviours, and satisfaction with salary. In addition, the global score on burnout symptoms was positively related to worker involvement, enterprise community involvement, perceived stress, and screen time at work. Furthermore, females tend to report a higher level of burnout symptoms compared to males. In addition, burnout has an impact on sickness absenteeism, presenteeism, and quality of life. Conclusions Our findings have an important contribution to understanding and promoting a healthier work environment, and reinforce the need for measures and policies to promote mental health, manage stress, and prevent burnout in the workplace.

Enhancing organizational well-being and growth: The value of ombud services and the development of ombud consultation evaluation survey

The role of an organizational ombud (formerly ombudsman) is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to fostering a healthy workplace environment. This specialized service offers an impartial, confidential, informal, and independent resource for employees and executives, addressing their concerns, mediating conflicts, and promoting fair treatment within the organization. While the role of an ombud may vary from one organization to another, this article sheds light on the findings of our ombud’s office and its contribution to the health of an organization. The ombud consultation evaluation survey serves as a valuable tool for organizations to simultaneously safeguard the health of their employees and the health of their business. The ombud confidential services serve as a cornerstone of organizational health, contributing to enhanced employee satisfaction, improved conflict resolution, ethical compliance, increased productivity, and reduced legal risks.

Enhancing Workplace Neuro Health and Productivity: The Synergy of Wearable Technology with Biophilic and Oxygenation Strategies

In the contemporary workplace, where a staggering 62% of employees reported experiencing burnout in 2023 according to a Medium article, the integration of wearable technology with biophilic and oxygenation strategies emerges as a vital Neurohemal initiative. This approach is particularly relevant for supporting neurodivergent individuals, as well as those recovering from stroke and long-COVID, in the context of return-to-office mandates. The article underscores the significance of research on increased hydrostatic pressure in circulation, particularly its impact on spinal and spinal cord blood flow during water immersion. This insight lays the groundwork for innovations like non-wet water massage devices, which could significantly aid in neurological recovery, thereby facilitating smoother reintegration into the workplace. Moreover, the fusion of biometrics with medical technology in wearables is explored, with a focus on enhancing interoception and proprioception. This technological synergy is key in activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), inducing a relaxed state conducive to effective digestion and oxygenation, crucial in mitigating workplace stress. The concept of ‘Interoceptive in Water’ is examined for its potential to improve blood flow and overall bodily function. In addition, the article advocates for the introduction of oxygenation bars in office spaces. These bars would offer a dedicated environment for enhanced oxygen intake, vital for cognitive function and stress alleviation, benefitting neurodivergent individuals, stroke survivors, and long-COVID patients. Wearables capable of detecting and correcting low oxygen or circulation issues are highlighted as essential tools for fostering a more inclusive, productive, and healthier workplace, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of NeuroHealth in the professional sphere.