scholarly journals On the Reciprocal Relationship between Quantitative and Qualitative Job Insecurity and Outcomes. Testing a Cross-Lagged Longitudinal Mediation Model

Author(s):  
Sonia Nawrocka ◽  
Hans De De Witte ◽  
Margherita Brondino ◽  
Margherita Pasini

Prior cross-sectional research indicates that the negative effects of quantitative job insecurity (i.e., threat to job loss) on employees’ wellbeing are fully mediated by qualitative job insecurity (i.e., threat to job characteristics). In the current longitudinal study, we replicated and further extended this view to include a direct effect of qualitative job insecurity on quantitative job insecurity. We explored these reciprocal relations in the context of their concurrent effects on work related outcomes by means of dual-mediation modelling. We identified a wide range of the outcomes, classified as: job strains (i.e., exhaustion, emotional and cognitive impairment), psychological coping reactions (i.e., job satisfaction, work engagement, turnover intention), and behavioral coping reactions (i.e., in-role and extra role performance, counterproductive behavior). We employed a three-wave panel design and surveyed 2003 Flemish employees. The results showed that the dual-mediation model had the best fit to the data. However, whereas qualitative job insecurity predicted an increase in quantitative job insecurity and the outcome variables six months later, quantitative job insecurity did not affect qualitative job insecurity or the outcomes over time. The study demonstrates the importance of qualitative job insecurity not only as a severe work stressor but also as an antecedent of quantitative job insecurity. Herewith, we stress the need for further research on the causal relations between both dimensions of job insecurity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone De Sio ◽  
Fabrizio Cedrone ◽  
Edoardo Trovato Battagliola ◽  
Giuseppe Buomprisco ◽  
Roberto Perri ◽  
...  

Introduction. The perception of psychosocial risks exposes workers to develop work-related stress. Recently the attention of scientific research has focused on a psychosocial risk already identified as “job insecurity” that regards the “overall concern about the continued existence of the job in the future” and that also depends on worker’s perception, different for each gender. Aim of the Study. The aim of this cross sectional study is to show if job insecurity, in the form of temporary contracts, can influence the perception of psychosocial risks and therefore increase worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and how the magnitude of this effect differs between genders. Materials and Methods. 338 administrative technical workers (113 males and 225 females) were administered a questionnaire, enquiring contract typology (permanent or temporary contracts), and the Health Safety Executive questionnaire to assess work-related stress. The Health Safety Executive Analysis Tool software was used to process collected questionnaires and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the differences obtained. Results. Workers with temporary contracts obtained lower scores than workers with permanent contracts in all the domains explored by the Health Safety Executive Analysis questionnaire, statistically significant (P<0,05). The female workers obtained lower scores than male workers in all domains explored by the Health Safety Executive questionnaire. Conclusions. Authors conclude that perception of psychosocial risks can be influenced by job insecurity, in the form of temporary contracts, and increases worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and differs between genders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwayne Devonish

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether person-related bullying, work-related bullying, and physically intimidating bullying predict three forms of job strain: physical exhaustion, work-related depression, and interpersonal counterproductive work behaviour (CWB-P). Design/methodology/approach The study surveyed a wide cross-section of employees across a number of private sector organisations in a small developing country in the Caribbean region. Findings The prevalence rate of workplace bullying in the current Caribbean sample was 54 per cent. The regression results revealed that person-related bullying and work-related were positively related to work-related depression, whereas physically intimidating bullying and work-related bullying were positively related to CWB-P. None of the three forms of bullying predicted physical exhaustion. When the overall workplace bullying composite was used, all three job strains were significantly predicted. Research limitations/implications The study utilised a cross-sectional self-report survey research design which does not permit causal inferences to be made. Common method variance is a possible limitation due to the use of self-report measure but this was ruled out by a Harman’s single factor test. Longitudinal research using a mixture of subjective and objective measures is needed to further investigate these relationships reported here. Practical implications First, social and interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence training and development opportunities should be provided to both managers and employees as a means of developing individuals who are socially aware, interpersonally competent, and emotionally intelligent in their interactions with each other at work. Second, a zero-tolerance approach should be communicated throughout the organisation evidenced by clear and explicit organisational policies against these acts. Third, it would be of good practical value to establish health and safety committees to identify, assess and tackle various psychosocial and other hazards at work (e.g. workplace bullying). Originality/value The study utilised a three-dimensional model of bullying at work (as well as a composite form of bullying) for predicting three forms of job strains among employees in various Caribbean workplaces.


Author(s):  
Haji Omid Kalte

Abstract Background: The work ability index (WAI) is one the most widely used instruments for measuring perceived work ability. However, very few studies have used this instrument in Iran. The present study is designed to assess effect of individual and work-related risk factors on the WAI in one dairy factory. Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed among 117 workers. Work ability was measured by the Persian versions of Work Ability Index (P-WAI). An author-developed measure was used to assess individual and work-related factors. All Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 (USA, SPSS Inc.). Results: The mean age of participants was 32.38 ± 7.3 and the Mean score of the WAI was 44.92 ± 5.56. According to the categorical classification of WAI score, 10.9, 35.6, and 53.5 % of participants had moderate, good and excellent work ability, respectively. The results of statistical analyses showed that mean WAI significantly differed with age (0.049), sleep quality (p= 0.035) and employment status (p= 0.014). Conclusion: To improve the workers’ work ability, intervention programs should focus on improving sleep quality and exercise. Also, we suggest that increasing job insecurity should be considered an important intervention in promoting worker’s work ability. Keywords: Work Ability Index (WAI), Sleep Quality, Job Insecurity


2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (30) ◽  
pp. 5-457-5-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Devereux ◽  
P.W. Buckle

Available data show that work stress and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the leading occupational health burdens in Member States of the European Union. Cross-sectional data do no provide a clear indication of the impact of work stress upon WMSDs. Studies have used different indicators for stress and this makes comparison between them more difficult. Similar workplace risk factors, including physical and psychosocial, seem to be associated with work stress and WMSDs. Stress has been implicated in the pathology of WMSDs but many hypotheses require further investigation. There is some epidemiological evidence to support work stress reactions as a predictor of WMSDs and a weighted reciprocal relationship may also exist between these two health problems. However, more longitudinal studies are required to clarify this issue.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satu Ojala ◽  
Pasi Pyöriä

Aims: Precarious employment is an emerging determinant of occupational health, but its association with work-related disability remains little understood. We operationalised precarious work as a multidimensional construct and examined how the accumulation of precarious job features predicts the incidence of receiving a disability pension (DP). Methods: The study comprised 13,228 employees aged 20–54 who had been interviewed for the Finnish Quality of Work Life Surveys in 1984, 1990, 1997, or 2003. We measured precarious work with five variables that reflect both subjective and objective job insecurity: the threat of dismissal/unemployment; poor employability; low earnings; previous unemployment; and temporary contract. An eight-year follow-up was merged with the pooled cross-sectional data, and Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) for receiving a DP were compared between the insecurity measures, controlling for sociodemographic covariates, job characteristics and health at the baseline with a step-wise procedure. Results: Precarious employees had an elevated risk of receiving a DP (all covariates adjusted for). The risk of receiving a DP was associated with subjective job insecurity, with the strongest indicator being poor employability. The association between the threat of unemployment and receiving a DP was weak before controlling for health. Among objective insecurity measures, low earnings and earlier unemployment were weakly connected to receiving a DP before controlling for sociodemographic covariates, job characteristics and health. Conclusions: We recommend the evaluation of several precarious job features in future studies. The risk of receiving a DP could potentially be offset by improving individuals’ employability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Oluwawemimo O. Adebowale ◽  
Monsurat O. Afolabi ◽  
Hezekiah K. Adesokan ◽  
Olubunmi G. Fasanmi ◽  
Olanike K. Adeyemo ◽  
...  

Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals, including students, to hazards associated with animal contact. To describe workplace health and safety status and risk factors associated with hazards among veterinary clinical students in South West Nigeria, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire. Data on demographics, health and safety (HS) status, work-related hazards, healthcare facilities, and immunisation history were obtained. Of 167 students recruited, 100 (60.2%) were males, and >77.1% fell within the age group of 21–25 years. Many participants (77.0%) reported the lack of active HS committee. Exposures to various physical hazards (PHs) such as needlestick injuries (NSIs, 41.5%), animal scratches (42.0%), animal kicks (33.0%), falls/slips (25.0%), and, less frequently, animal bites (13.8%) were reported. Allergies (35.9%) and acute gastrointestinal infection (25.6%) mainly after contact with dogs presented with parvoviral enteritis were reported. For chemical hazards, 27.8% and 29.0% of participants indicated having had eye burn and choke on exposure to formalin. No adequate immunisation against either tetanus, rabies, or both was provided (<18%). An association between accommodation type and students’ level of health and safety training was observed (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.241–0.897, p=0.02), and frequencies of student contact with various animal types were strongly associated with exposures to different physical and biological risks (p<0.05). This study revealed poor health and safety training, practices, and increased exposure of students to a wide range of hazards. Therefore, the development of mitigation programmes in veterinary schools becomes critical to safeguard students’ wellbeing.


Author(s):  
Ahmad CHAVOSHI ◽  
Fahimeh KARAMALI ◽  
Habiballah RAHIMI ◽  
Alireza MORAVVEJI ◽  
Mostafa POUYAKIAN

Introduction: Urban sanitation workers, including waste disposal workers and street cleaners, are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards and accidents. No study regarding such accidents has been carried out so far in Kashan city. Therefore, the incidents that occurred for this group of workers at the Kashan municipality from 2015 to 2018 were examine in this study. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Demographic data and injury data were collected through periodic medical examination reports of workers who were injured in a work-related accident during the period of this study. Also, official accident forms completed by authorities were used for gathering information about the accidents. Descriptive and analytical statistics were utilized to analyze data. Results: Two out of 95 occupational accidents resulted in death. Garbage collection workers (69.5%) had the highest amount of accidents. Among those, individuals who were involved in accidents, those who had work experience of one year (45.26%), those who had primary school education (43.2%), those having two children (32.6%), and were in the age group of 30 to 39 years had the highest number of accidents. The most common cause and type of accidents were the sharp objects injuries into hands and feet (26.3%) and sprains/strains (50.5%). Most accidents injured limbs (hands and feet). There was a statistically significant correlation between the cause and effect of accidents (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that urban sanitation workers suffer from occupational injuries more commonly from bruises and sprains/strains that require medical interventions. The application of personal protective equipment (PPE) is widely accepted as an essential factor in preventing occupational injuries. Therefore, the application of this equipment is recommended.  


Author(s):  
Nimali Wijegoonewardene ◽  
Janaki Vidanapathirana

Working as a prison officer is known to be stressful and demanding. This paper aims to assess the personal and work-related perceptions of Sri Lankan prison officers working in close contact with inmates, and it is part of a larger study carried out in 2017. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 among 1803 ‘ground level’ prison officers across the country, consisting of 1683 prison guards and 120 prison rehabilitation officers. Their perceptions related to personal-life and work-life were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Percentages were calculated in the analysis. The majority of the sample were between 25-54 years (85.9%), and male (88%). Out of the participants, 232 (12.9%) felt their family-life was adversely affecting work-life, while 412 (22.9%) thought their work-life was adversely affecting family-life. 102 (5.7%) felt they couldn’t take leave even for an urgent need. While 1369 (75.9%) always had a clear idea about their duty, 338 (18.7%) felt there were no career prospects in the job. 398 (22.1%) felt they were overloaded with work. Around one fourth of the participants felt job insecurity most of the time. Regarding work relationships, 292 (16.2%), 65 (3.6%) and 167 (9.3%) thought their relationship was excellent with colleagues, inmates and superiors, respectively. Around sixty percent were overall satisfied with their job. The perceptions of the ‘ground level’ prison officers reveal that there is space for improvement in the work setting, both at institution and policy level. Future studies should focus on perceptions of other categories of prison officers


Author(s):  
Momanyi, Violet Nakhungu ◽  
N. Keraka, Margaret ◽  
A. Abong’o, Deborah ◽  
N. Warutere, Peterson

This study evaluated 403 farmers from the open field and greenhouse farms in Mwea Irrigation Scheme on the types and classification of pesticides used to control pests and diseases on tomatoes, in July 2017 to June 2018. Five greenhouse tomato farmers were purposively selected while sample size of 196 open field farmers, calculated using Fisher’s formula. Cross-Sectional design using a structured questionnaire, face to face interviews and focus group discussions with 201 farmers in the eight wards, Gathingiri, Tebere, Kangai, Wamumu, Murinduko, Nyangati, Mutithi and Thiba. Accuracy of the data was ensured by pre-testing the questionnaire on tomato farmers from a neighbouring Maragua sub-county, errors were corrected, and omissions added to the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was carried out for frequencies, percentages, means, standard errors, variance and data subjected to T-test at 95% Confidence Interval to determine significant differences between variables. Results from the interviews revealed that farmers applied 57 and 12 pesticides under different trade names on tomatoes in the open field and greenhouse farms respectively. Pyrethroids, carbamates, nicotinoids, organophosphates, and organochlorines were applied on tomatoes among others. The 20 and 12 pesticides mainly used in open field and greenhouse farms were WHO Class II (60%) and WHO Class III (42%), respectively. Farmers heavily relied on different types of pesticides to control a wide range of major pests and diseases as Tuta absoluta and blight respectively. Chlorantraniliprole and mancozeb are the main pesticides used in tomatoes. Most pesticides, WHO toxic class II including pyrethroids and carbamates should be used following manufacturers’ recommendations to prevent human health risks. Training and awareness by the Ministry of agriculture, Kirinyanga County government  are needed on use of less toxic pesticides equally effective in controlling pests and diseases, such as WHO  classes III and IV and bio-pesticides with minimal negative effects on human  health.


2005 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nele De Cuyper ◽  
Hans De Witte

Research on the consequences of job insecurity among temporary workers has been largely exploratory. This study investigates whether job insecurity either mediates or moderates the relationship between type of contract (temporary versus permanent) and its outcomes. It extends previous research by including a wide range of outcomes (job satisfaction, engagement, organisational commitment, trust, general health, irritation, turnover intention, performance, and positive work life interference), most of which have not yet been considered in this context. Results (N = 656) point to the moderating role of job insecurity, however only for outcomes reflecting immediate reactions. Implications for future research are discussed.


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