Emerald | International Journal of Workplace Health Management

Family Friendly Policies: Accommodating End-of-Life Caregivers in Workplaces

Mirjana Vuksan, Allison Williams, Valorie Crooks — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Family friendly workplace policies (FFWPs) are designed to help employees co-manage work and personal obligations. With the rising aging population and subsequent emphasis on informal caregiving in Canada, Canadian employees will have to maintain paid work while serving as caregivers for family members at end-of-life (EoL). Thus, workplaces need to be prepared to accommodate these workers’ requests. The objective of this paper is to explore, qualitatively, the workplace and employee characteristics that are most helpful to employees in EoL caregiving situations from an employer/human resources (HR) perspective so as to inform the development of FFWPs targeting this group.Design/methodology/approach - We draw on the findings of five focus group discussions undertaken in 2008 with Canadian employers and HR professionals in the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador.Findings - There are clear differences in how large and small workplaces accommodate employees who are providing EoL care. For instance, larger workplaces are more likely to have set policies around employee EoL care leaves and are unable to accommodate employees’ needs that fall outside the scope of these policies; smaller workplaces are less likely to have standard policies for caregiver leaves and are more able to customize responses to leave requests. Employee characteristics such as length of time working for the employer and employee skill level also have a bearing on accommodating employee EoL care leave requests. The presence of HR infrastructure, which is more characteristically found in large workplaces, is also related to the availability of formal FFWPs. Research limitations/implications - The fact that the data was derived from the employer/HR perspective and not those of actual employees is a limitation. The small sample size and convenience (non-random) sampling limits the generalizability of the findings. Practical implications - Originality/value - This research contributes to the limited literature on FFWPs and EoL caregiving accommodations. The findings of this study can directly inform workplace practice, both now and in the years to come, regarding how best to support workers who are also providing informal EoL care to family, friends, and others.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF EMPLOYEE’S DOG PRESENCE ON STRESS AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERCEPTIONS

2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary study of the effect of employees’ dogs presence at work on stress and organizational perceptions.Design/methodology/approach - Design/methodology/approach A pre-post between-group design with repeated measures was used to compare differences between employees who bring their dogs to work (DOG group), employees who do not bring their dogs to work (NODOG group), and employees without pets (NOPET group) on physiological and perceived stress, perceptions of job satisfaction, organizational affective commitment, and perceived organizational support.Findings - Findings Combined groups scored significantly higher (p<0.0001) on multiple job satisfaction subscales than the reference norm group for these scales. No significant differences were found between the groups on physiological stress or perceived organizational support. Although perceived stress was similar at baseline; over the course of the day, stress declined for the DOG group with their dogs present and increased for the NODOG and NOPET groups. The NODOG group had significantly higher stress (p<0.005) than the DOG group by the end of the day. A significant difference (p<0.02) was found in the stress patterns for the DOG group on days their dogs were present and absent. On dog absent days, owners’ stress increased throughout the day, mirroring the pattern of the NODOG group. Research limitations/implications - Research limitations/implications The small sample of employees who volunteered for study participation limits the generalizability of these findings. Future organizational research can utilize both the design and preliminary findings to assess the wellness impact, benefits and limitations of pets in the workplace. Practical implications - Practical applications Preliminary findings suggest pet dogs in the workplace may buffer the impact of stress during the workday for their owners and may also contribute to higher job satisfaction for all employees in the organization, regardless of dog or pet ownership.Originality/value - Originality/value This paper provides the first quantitative exploratory study of the effects of pet dogs in the workplace setting on employee stress and perceptions of satisfaction, support and commitment.

Patterns of Root Cause in Workplace Injury

R. Bruce Dodge — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose - This paper reports on themes of root cause of injury emerging from a qualitative study of investigations into serious workplace injuries undertaken by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Workforce Development, Occupational Health and Safety Division.Design/methodology/approach - Design / methodology - This study used systems-based safety management as a theoretical lens and a qualitative Grounded Theory approach to inductively identify patterns and themes in the root cause of injury. Investigations were purposefully selected and analyzed through document review supplemented by interviews.Findings - Findings - A number of themes of root cause of injury emerge from the data reflecting a lack of commitment to safety within the organization and a lack of positive safety leadership by management. Workplace culture is identified as a reflection of beliefs and assumptions of managers which impacts safety behaviour. A trend toward identifying the victim as a cause is also addressed.Research limitations/implications - Research Limitations - Data are limited to investigations of serious injuries reported to the enforcement agency thus focusing on negative experiences. The identification of root cause of injury may not always be the focus of the investigation, and the nature of acute serious injury limits the industry sectors represented. A need for further investigation across other industry sectors and inclusion of chronic injury is indicated.Originality/value - Originality / value - These themes represent a cross sectoral perspective and can be used to guide development of prevention and intervention programs, corporate priorities and public policy.

Supervisor support as a moderator between work schedule flexibility and job stress- some empirical evidence from Sri Lanka.

Vathsala Wickramasinghe — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of supervisor support on the relationship between work schedule flexibility and job stress. Design/methodology/approach - For the study a survey methodology was used and 232 software developers attached to offshore outsourced software development firms responded.Findings - It was found that supervisor support moderates the relationship between work schedule flexibility and job stress. Originality/value - It is expected that the findings of this study will provide useful information for both practitioners and academics to better understand the nature of strategies to be adopted in mitigating job stress.

A Survey of Safety and Health at Work in Greece

Stavros Drakopoulos, Athina Economou, Katerina Grimani — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose: The subject of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is increasingly gaining the interest of policy makers and researchers in European countries given that the economic and social losses from work-related injuries and diseases are quite substantial. Under this light, this paper presents an overview of the Greek legislation framework regarding OSH issues, and the current status of empirical research on the subject in Greece. In addition, the paper identifies the knowledge gaps and methodological shortcomings of the existing literature in order to contribute towards future research in the OSH field in Greece. Design/methodology/approach - Methods: We conducted an extensive literature review of numerous publications, reports and Institutions’ databases. Findings - Findings: The results suggest that empirical up to date research in Greece is rather inadequate, mainly because of the absence of econometric methods to validate the findings. The available Greek databases indicate that while the number of working accidents has decreased over time, the severity seems to be increasing. Males are more prone to accidents, diseases and negative working conditions. Work-related stress is an aspect of occupational problems that has been the subject of many Greek studies.Originality/value - Originality/value: Although the legal framework is quite adequate, there is a need for both prevention strategies and enforcement of the existing safety regulations. Furthermore, a substantial research gap is observed in Greece. Therefore, more systematic research is needed on the determinants of injuries and on their effects on job participation and productivity.