Workplace Participation Research Articles

Spesialistflukt fra de offentlige helsetjenestene

Specialists in clinical psychology are increasingly leaving the public sector for the private sector, a situation causing concern for many. In this study we aimed to identify motives for this transition. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted to answer our research question. Eight informants were selected, all specialists in clinical psychology who had left the public mental health sector to set up their own private practice. The findings from our analysis suggest that the informants had quite similar career-shifting motivations that included lack of trust, lack of workplace participation, insecurity and cross-pressures arising from conflicting demands. An overall interpretation of our data is that changes that have occurred in the public sector over time seem to have rendered the public sector less attractive than the private sector as a career option among specialists in clinical psychology. Keywords: career decisions, mental health professionals, public sector, private sector

ADAPTABLE MATERIALS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A FOCUS ON SANITARY PADS

Menstrual hygiene is a vital health issue affecting millions of women and girls globally, impacting their physical health, dignity, and participation in various social, educational, and economic activities (Sommer et. al., 2016). Traditional sanitary pads, predominantly composed of non-biodegradable plastics and synthetic fibres, pose severe environmental challenges, taking hundreds of years to decompose and contributing to significant waste (Garside & Sutherland, 2019). These conventional products lead to landfill overload, water pollution, air pollution from incineration, and related health hazards (Smith, 2020). Additionally, the economic and social barriers posed by the high cost of these products disrupt education, workplace participation, and perpetuate social stigmas (Kuhlmann, 2018). This paper examines the use of adaptable materials to create sustainable sanitary pads, focusing on innovative materials like biodegradable and reusable options (White & O'Neill, 2021). It highlights the potential for technological advancements to revolutionize menstrual hygiene management, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, gender equality, responsible consumption, and climate action (United Nations, 2021). The paper also presents case studies of successful initiatives worldwide, addressing challenges and proposing solutions to promote widespread adoption of sustainable menstrual hygiene products (Chaudhary & Dhawan, 2022). Through collaborative efforts in education, policy-making, and community engagement, sustainable sanitary pads can contribute significantly to a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally friendly future (Jones, 2023).

Workplace Learning Environment and Participation in Work Communities: A Qualitative Comparison of Stayers’ and Leavers’ Perceptions and Experiences

In many countries with apprenticeship-based vocational education and training (VET), dropout from apprenticeship training is a major concern. Leaving an apprenticeship early can be problematic, particularly for young people who do not continue their training at another company or in another occupation, and drop out of the education system without obtaining a qualification. Previous research mostly has used a quantitative design focussing mainly on the perspective of apprentices who left training early and on attributes of the individual that may lead to dropout. Drawing on literature on quality of workplace learning environments, this study used a qualitative comparative approach to analyse the workplace learning environment from the perspectives of both young people who left their apprenticeships early and apprentices at the end of their training. The analysis revealed striking differences between the stayers and leavers in terms of two main characteristics of the workplace learning environment. The findings illustrate how being given responsibility can promote professional development and self-confidence, but also can lead to stress, exhaustion and insecurity if an early transfer of responsibility is not accompanied by support and guidance. Furthermore, the findings emphasise the importance of creating safe learning environments in which apprentices experience support and room for making mistakes. The study concludes that future research may include measures related to transfer and fulfilment of responsibility and handling of mistakes in workplaces to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the processes leading to early contract terminations.

Workplace Flexibility and Participation in Adult Learning

Workplace Flexibility and Participation in Adult Learning

Towards identifying gaps in employment integration of people living with vision impairment: A scoping review.

The high rate of unemployment among individuals with vision impairment remains a pressing issue, even with the implementation of disability laws and coordinated effort to foster inclusive workplace. Employment integration challenges persist for people with vision impairment due to inaccessible job markets and workplaces. To create new knowledge from previous studies related to employment among people with vision impairment and to understand what has been explored and identify the gaps in employment integration. A comprehensive search of six databases was conducted utilizing both index terms and keywords. The title and abstract of identified studies were screened, followed by a full-text screening using pre-set criteria. Only available peer-reviewed studies with a focus on employment and vision impairment were included, irrespective of location and publication year. Of 2264 studies screened, only 43 studies were eligible for review and data extraction. Using thematic analysis, 8 key themes emerged: social support, disability rights and service systems, transition strategies and challenges, career, employment integration, employment environment, adaptive potential, and employment sustainability. These studies considered the perspectives of people living with vision impairment, rehabilitation practice, and employers. Identified gaps include transition strategies, workplace participation, the perception of colleagues, and work evolution. The primary focus of studies was on the individual factors that impact workplace integration; work environment impact was not explored in depth. The need to examine the readiness of the work environment is also importance because environmental factors can be modified according to the functional needs of people with vision impairment.

A systematic scoping review characterising studies investigating workplace nutritional interventions in male employees

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the predominant cause of death in the UK(1) and place an economic burden on societies(2). An unhealthy diet is one of the four main behavioural risk factors for NCDs(3) and thus, interventions targeting dietary behaviour are of particular interest in the prevention of NCDs. The workplace may be a valuable setting for these interventions as employees represent a large proportion of the population in the UK(4). In the male population, NCDs and several risk factors typically manifest at a younger age(5) and, additionally, males participate less in health-promoting activities(6).The aim of this scoping review was to identify and characterise the evidence base to determine if a future full systematic review on nutrition interventions in the workplace to improve health and well- being in males is feasible.The review was conducted adhering to the PRISMA guideline for Scoping Reviews(7). Three electronic databases (Ovid, PubMed, and The Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for relevant publications responding to the research question from inception. No restrictions were made in the search and all study types were eligible. Articles that were not available in English were excluded from the review. Eligible studies were reviewed using a pre-defined data extraction form and references hand-searched for relevant publications. Data synthesis was focused on describing application-oriented aspects and outcome analyses were reduced to anthropometric outcomes.Of the 1,224 publications from the initial database search, 46 were included in the review, with an additional 15 studies identified from hand-searching, resulting in 61 included reports on 57 interventions. Four main approaches to nutrition interventions at the workplace were identified; educational, environmental, individual counselling, and meal provision/replacement. Most interventions used multicomponent approaches. One of the 61 included reports followed a qualitative design. Anthropometric outcomes were reported in the majority (83.6%) of studies, followed by bioclinical outcomes (45.9%), other outcomes were food (34.4%) and nutrient intake (22.9%), smoking habits (14.8%) and, one study reported on Quality of Life. Of the studies reporting anthropometric outcomes 69% reported to be effective in improving body weight, 47.8% BMI and 54.5% waist circumference. No determinants of successful interventions such as type, duration, workplace participation were identified.This review suggests that nutrition interventions at the workplace are effective in improving several anthropometric outcomes. A future full systematic review is feasible but should consider narrowing the research question to account for limitations in the current evidence base as differences in reporting of design, population, intervention, and outcomes severely limited data analyses. Furthermore, to enable high-quality research, the development of a reporting tool, such as the TIDieR checklist (8) is recommended.

Enhancing employability through university-industry linkages: Omani engineering students’ perspectives of the Eidaad internship programme

Like many Middle East and North Africa countries, one of the main socio-economic challenges facing Oman is the creation of meaningful graduate employment opportunities. A combination of factors that include the gap between the expertise and skills acquired in higher education and workforce requirements means many students struggle to find suitable jobs upon graduation. Consequently, providing quality education and developing national talents are key objectives of the country’s Vision 2040 development roadmap. Higher levels of cooperation between tertiary institutions and industry within the framework of government policy are necessary to achieve these outcomes. This study explores undergraduate engineering student perceptions of one example of this collaboration – the Eidaad internship programme. To better understand interns’ perceptions of the programme’s personal and professional benefit across targeted areas and means for further improvement, a three-part on-line questionnaire was administered to current and former programme participants. Results indicate overwhelmingly positive perceptions of the programme, including in terms of enhancing interns’ teamwork skills, workplace participation, communication skills, clarity of career plans and objectives, and so on. Participant suggestions for improvement include the creation of concrete employment pathways and the provision of further on-the-job training opportunities. Implications for the Eidaad and similar internship programmes are discussed.

Visual impairment, employment status, and reduction in income: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

ObjectiveTo examine the employment status of those with and without visual impairment and eye disease and to examine the association between visual impairment and eye disease and a reduction in income over a 3-year period. DesignPopulation-based prospective cohort study. ParticipantsA total of 12,174 nonretired participants aged 45–64 years old in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. MethodsVisual impairment was defined if binocular presenting or pinhole-corrected monocular visual acuity in the better eye was worse than 20/40 at baseline. Self-reported diagnoses of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma were collected. Employment status (employed, not employed due to sickness or disability, or unemployed) was based on questions on labour force participation. Income reduction was defined as household income <$50,000 per year at follow-up when household income was ≥$50,000 at baseline. Multinomial and logistic regressions were used to adjust for demographic and health variables. ResultsVisual impairment using binocular presenting visual acuity (odds ratio [OR] = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.21–3.62) and pinhole-corrected visual acuity (OR = 2.99; 95% CI, 1.54–5.83) were associated with a higher odds of not being employed due to sickness or disability after adjustment. AMD (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.11–3.01) and glaucoma (OR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.28–3.28) at baseline were both associated with reductions in income over a 3-year period after adjustment. ConclusionIndividuals with visual impairment experienced lower employment, and those with AMD or glaucoma were more likely to have their incomes decline over 3 years. Policies to improve workplace participation by those with vision loss are needed.

Revisiting tools in numeracy learning: the role of authentic digital tools

This conceptual analysis paper argues for an expansion to the definition of tools in Goos et al. model of numeracy. As the digitalization of society progresses at an ever-quickening pace, mathematical processes that were once considered only necessary for higher level occupations and tasks are now everyday requirements for successful participation in modern life and workplaces. Mathematical acts are routinely undertaken on a normal day because of the technology we use in daily life. For example, the act of driving a car has a mathematical basis; the driver has awareness of the location of the destination, reads multiple instruments and indicators including speed and fuel consumption, and interprets digital maps or navigation aids. Authentic digital tools and devices that are used in the real world that undertake mathematical processes can change the mathematics that is to be done. Rapid developments in mathematical technology, alongside the ubiquity of digital devices, the broad scope of functions and ease of use, has advanced the mathematical processes that digital tools can perform. The specificity and functionality of current digital tools can influence both the approach to and the application of the mathematics. To keep pace with society trends and demands, the tools used in the teaching and learning of numeracy should reflect the level of mathematical knowledge and skills required for successful participation in 21st Century life. Given that the digitalization of tools means they are no longer bound by time and space, they can be shared instantaneously. This agile ease of use suggests these tools may be suitable for use in the classroom. It is important therefore that educators find pedagogical ways to use real-world digital tools in authentic ways. This paper explores the current definition of numeracy tools found in literature and curricula and considers an expansion to the definition to fit with current technological directions. A model for implementation will be considered, and a suggested evaluation of the expanded model as a vehicle for learning numeracy is proposed.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a prospective cohort of patients admitted to an acute psychiatric ward in Norway during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread around the world during the first part of 2020. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients acutely admitted to the Psychiatric Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital. Methods Serum tests to assess for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were administered at admission to the clinic together with a questionnaire on symptoms and demographical information. Further information was obtained from the medical records. Results The cumulative seroprevalence in the 266 participants was 0.75%, the cumulative reported cases in the Norwegian general population was 0.61% at the end of the inclusion period of the study. Twenty-five percent of participants had risk factors for a serious course of COVID-19. There was a low prevalence of cohabitation and only 20% had their main income derived from ordinary salaries (not welfare). Conclusion The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a sample of patients acutely admitted to the Psychiatric Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, was comparable to reported cases in the general population. A possible link to governmental and municipal restrictions, general low workplace participation and cohabitation is discussed.

Employee engagement in volunteerism and workplace giving sees rebound

Recently released research from nonprofit software provider Blackbaud shows that, as the pandemic‐induced lockdowns and social distancing requirements of 2021 have receded, employee participation in workplace giving and volunteerism programs have increased, helping nonprofits across the country rebound from the impacts of the pandemic era.

Utility of the workplace participation domain of the Youth and Young-adult Participation and Environment Measure (Y-PEM): Stakeholder’s perspectives

BACKGROUND: Assessing workplace participation of people with disability using measures that can inform practice is vital. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of the Youth and young-adult Participation and Environment Measure’s (Y-PEM) Workplace Participation domain. METHOD: Four focus groups were conducted with 11 stakeholders from different employment-related settings. Open-ended questions regarding Y-PEM’s interpretation, meaning and relevance, drawing on elements of clinical utility, were used. Data were analyzed by two investigators using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Stakeholders’ experience in providing/receiving employment services varied (1– 16 years). Three themes emerged. The Y-PEM captures multiple factors in employment transition; it generates insights and sparks conversations to better appreciate and support individuals’ transitioning to employment. Y-PEM meets the need for tools to guide services of transitioning to employment as it is comprehensive in assessing participation and the environment, can provide a “snapshot” of where the young person is at in their transition, and serves different purposes. The tool provides a “piece of the pie” within this complex process and could be used in conjunction with other tools. CONCLUSION: Y-PEM was perceived as essential, comprehensive, and appropriate for use in clinical and employment-related service contexts to inform practice, and guide stakeholders’ decision-making in facilitating transitioning to employment.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment provisions within enterprise agreements in Australian universities, the role of the National Tertiary Education Union and collective bargaining

Collective bargaining is the foundation for democracy in the workplace, and a mechanism for ensuring workers in Australia have improved working conditions whilst striving to reduce inequality. Collective bargaining offers potential to improve democratic workplace participation and socio-economic status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, however, if done ineffectively can further entrench inequality. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workplace issues need to be at the forefront of bargaining. In the Higher Education sector, collective agreements with universities cover the majority of employees and are negotiated by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). The NTEU uses its bargaining power within the university sector to establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment targets and other targeted provisions within enterprise agreements. These targets and other provisions aim to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on campus, ensure fair and equitable working conditions and challenge entrenched inequality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers within their universities. The NTEU has for over 20 years advocated for and won Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment clauses in enterprise agreements. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee, under the direction of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members has pushed for these for the benefit of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples employed or yet to be employed in the higher education sector. The increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment in universities has and continues to be driven by NTEU.

Workplace Participation and Career Success

Workplace Participation and Career Success

Healing the wounds of workplace bullying: Evaluating mental health and workplace participation among victims seeking treatment for common mental disorders.

Victims of workplace bullying represent a group characterised by severe negative health complaints at risk of losing their foothold in working life. To date, very few studies have investigated the effect of psychological treatment of the health-related problems often facing victims of bullying. The aim was to investigate if victims of workplace bullying suffering from common mental disorders (CMD) benefit from clinical treatment for their mental health problems at an outpatient clinic treating patients using Metacognitive or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with work-focus. Criteria were symptom reduction and change in workplace participation. Comparisons were made between the victims of workplace bullying with CMD, a wait-list control group consisting of patients who had also been exposed to bullying yet now awaiting treatment, and other patients not exposed to bullying. The sample comprised of 405 patients from an outpatient clinic in Norway. The study used a naturalistic observational design and data was collected pre-treatment and post-treatment. The results showed the treatment to be effective in symptom reduction for victims of bullying to a similar degree as patients otherwise not exposed to bullying. Even more, victims receiving treatment had a larger improvement compared to the wait-list control group (p < 0.001). Yet, among patients on sick leave pre-treatment, fewer victims of bullying were fully working by the end of treatment compared to the patients not exposed to workplace bullying. The findings provide ground for optimism for this treatment as an efficient way of dealing with the aftermath of workplace bullying.

סדנה קבוצתית להורים לילדים עם צרכים מיוחדים – התערבות במקום העבודה

Parenting children with special needs is accompanied by unique challenges that influence parents’ mental health and well-being. A significant hurdle of parenting children with special needs is in the field of work and career advancement. Parents who keep their jobs report high levels of stress in the workplace. Evidence on workplace interventions based on Peer Support Program models shows that these groups can provide support, foster a sense of belonging, increase identification with the peer group, and create a strong parent community. These are the goals of the program called #ComeAsYouAre Workshop. Sixteen Microsoft Israel employees who are parents of children with special needs participated in the program. The program included nine hybrid group sessions. Each session dealt with a different topic concerning life's ups and downs and working as a special parent, the creatation of support systems, receiving the diagnosis, and how to deal with siblings of children with special needs. The group met once a week for ninety minutes, during working hours, with the knowledge and support of each participant’s personal manager. Results show that participants shared that the #ComeAsYouAre Program contributed positively to their workplace participation and in other areas of life. The program can be used as a model for other organizations that aspire to introduce diversity and inclusion content into their workplace, creating an impact and supporting employees who are parents of children with special needs.

Key factors impacting women seafarers’ participation in the evolving workplace: A qualitative exploration

Women constitute a mere 1.28 % of currently active seafarers. This is despite the concerted international efforts over the years to promote female participation in the maritime industry. Previous studies have identified several causal factors for the dismal representation of women in this sector. However, the current disruptions in the maritime workplace, mainly caused by the introduction of digital technologies and automation, have created a novel environment that limits the relevance of several previous research findings. This study aims to address that gap by investigating the factors impacting women seafarers’ participation in the transition period leading to a technology-rich, highly automated future in the maritime industry. This paper is part of a larger qualitative study that looks at workplace participation and learning by seafarers. The data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus-groups conducted among seafarers and other maritime stakeholders. The thematic analysis of the data identified some physical, social, and psychological barriers that impede the workplace participation of women seafarers. Additionally, our analysis shows that the progressive adoption of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) and Shipping 4.0 will play an important role in improving women’s participation in the shipping sector. However, to facilitate this, maritime policy makers and educators need to ensure a level playing field by providing gender-neutral access and opportunities to acquire skills and competences essential in a highly digitalised future workplace. Improving gender diversity is an essential step to align the maritime industry with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5.

The creation and implementation of an employment participation pathway model for youth with disabilities

Purpose Employment participation offers benefits including income, sense of accomplishment, social engagement, and meaningful contribution to society. Rates of competitive employment of youth with disabilities are amongst the lowest in society, despite having capacity and motivation to participate in the workplace. The marginalization of young workers with disability presents a lost opportunity for youth, potential employers, and social care systems. In order to engage young people with disabilities in employment, we present an integrated, community-based model for employment participation preparation. Materials and methods The employment participation pathway model is based on best available evidence and 15 years of program delivery for youth with disabilities preparing to transition out of school and into employment in the Canadian context. It was conceptualized using the Knowledge to Action framework and presented for consideration in the current paper. Results Starting early, taking a person-directed approach to planning, and considering the individual and our systems contribute to effective and comprehensive transition to employment. Conclusions The employment participation model provides evidence and examples for service providers to consider integrating into their repertoire and begin to construct similar pathways to equip their clients and families with skills, capacities, and knowledge as they journey towards workplace participation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Employment for individuals with disabilities is lower than the national average, with rates being even lower for young people (ages 15–25) with disabilities. Low workplace participation for individuals with disabilities is particularly troubling due to the myriad social and health benefits of engagement in employment. Programs that start early (during high school) and provide ongoing, community-integrated support are reported to be most beneficial to the eventual job attainment and retention for young job seekers with disabilities. The presented employment participation pathway model that was developed using the Knowledge to Action Framework integrates evidence and best practices to support service providers in facilitating progressive workplace participation for clients and families.

Productivity Loss and Predictive Factors Among Visually Impaired Adults in Tertiary Eye Care Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Dual-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Visual impairment has a profound impact on loss of economy and productivity, which can impair health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine productivity loss and its predictive factors among adults with visual impairment in Addis Ababa tertiary eye care centers, Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and July 30, 2021. A total of 425 samples were retrieved using systematic random sampling. Data collection included socio-demographic information, employment status, job absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced work participation. Analysis was done by SPSS version 23, and binary logistic regression was employed for statistical analysis. P-values less than 0.05 were used to state significant associations between dependent and outcome variables. A total of 416 study participants were involved in the study, with a response rate of 97.88%. The mean age was 48±14.3 years. The total productivity loss was $775,325.51, with a median of $358.02. Maximum productivity loss was contributed by reduced workforce participation, which was about $746,337.45, with a median of $1,432.10. Regarding predictor factors, gender, monthly income, degree and duration of visual impairment and support of family to get job were statistically associated with high productivity loss. In general, the current study revealed that there is a profound annual loss of productivity due to visual impairment. The predictor factors for higher productivity loss were gender, monthly income, degree of visual impairment, duration of visual impairment and presence of support from family to get job or achieve better performance on job activities. Rehabilitation for visually impaired adults is recommended to enhance their quality of life by increasing their workplace participation to the maximum potential.

Entrustable professional activities for Junior Brazilian Medical Students in community medicine

BackgroundEntrustable professional activities (EPAs) have been defined to promote the workplace participation of undergraduate medical students, generally in the context of high-income countries with a focus on the secondary and tertiary health care sectors. These EPAs have limited applicability to training and health care contexts in low- to middle-income countries that have a focus on primary health care, for instance, the context of community medicine. The purpose of this article is to report the process and results of defining EPAs for undergraduate medical training in a community health care setting.MethodsA modified Delphi study was performed to develop EPAs for the training of medical students in community medicine during their first and second years of education at the Marília Medical School (FAMEMA), Brazil. The supervision level was operationalized in terms of a student’s ability to perform the EPA autonomously in an effective and safe manner with supervision readily available on request. Panellists (9 physicians and 6 nurses) rated the completeness of the proposed list of EPAs and EPA categories on four-point Likert scales. The threshold for consensus among panellists was a mean content validity index of at least 80%.ResultsConsensus was reached after two Delphi rounds, resulting in 11 EPAs for undergraduate medical education and training in community medicine. These EPAs were organized into three overarching EPA domains: integrality of care for individual health needs in all phases of the life cycle (5 EPAs), integrality of care for family health needs (3 EPAs), and integrality of care for community health needs (3 EPAs). For each EPA, descriptions of the following categories were created: title; specifications and limitations; conditions and implications of the entrustment decision; knowledge, skills, and attitudes; links to competencies; and assessment sources.ConclusionThe resulting 11 EPAs for training medical students in community medicine expand the application of the EPA framework to both early undergraduate medical education and the context of primary health care. This report can support and guide other medical schools in their attempts to train students in primary health care contexts and to incorporate EPAs into their curricula.