Balancing social and economic factors - explorative qualitative analysis of working conditions of supervisors in German social firms.

BACKGROUND: Social firms are companies on the general labour market which provide employment to people with severe disabilities. In this setting different job resources are offered for its employees, including social support or flexibility in terms of working hours, tasks or pace of work. However, to date, only limited evidence exists on the work and health situation of supervisors in social firms. Therefore, the study aims to explore job demands and resources of supervisors in social firms to increase knowledge in a little researched field and to develop recommendations for action on workplace health promotion. METHODS: Sixteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with supervisors of social firms in the North of Germany within July and November 2020. Different sectors such as gastronomy or cleaning services as well as employment opportunities for people with different types of disabilities were included. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed following the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring (deductive-inductive approach). RESULTS: Overall, a heterogeneous composition was aimed for in terms of age and gender distribution (68.75% were male and between 32 and 60 years old). Supervisors reported various job demands in social firms, including for instance emotional demands, conflicts between social and economic objectives, conflict management, exposure to heat, heavy lifting or constant standing. In contrast, a high meaning of work, possibilities in shaping the structure of the social firm, social support of colleagues or the management and the provision of an ergonomic work environment were highlighted as job resources. Further person-related demands (e.g. own expectations) and resources (e.g. patience) were underlined as well. CONCLUSION: First exploratory insights were provided with reference to job demands and resources for supervisors in social firms. The overview on working conditions underlines the significance of a supportive work environment taking structural and behavioural-related implications into account to reduce demands and strengthen resources. Further interventional research is needed regarding the development, testing and evaluation of workplace health promotion interventions in social firms.

Workplace Health Promotion in German Social Firms-Offers, Needs and Challenges from the Perspectives of Employees, Supervisors and Experts.

On the general labor market, social firms provide 30-50% of people with different types of disabilities the opportunity to gain employment. However, the topic of workplace health promotion (WHP), needs for improvement and accompanied challenges are neglected in the current research and were the focus of the present study. Therefore, data triangulation was used between July and December 2020 by combining three focus groups with employees (n = 14 employees) with 16 interviews with supervisors from several social firms in Northern Germany (e.g., from catering, cleaning or bicycle repair sectors). 17 semi-structured telephone interviews with experts in the field of WHP or social firms were added. All approaches were audio-taped, transcribed and anonymized. To analyze the data, Mayring's qualitative content analysis was used. The results indicated that several offers for WHP, including sport, nutrition and relaxation, were offered, as well as those on smoking cessation, cooperation with external organizations or training and education offers. Needs for improvement were stated referring to additional sport offers, support for implementing a healthy diet, offers for relaxation, financial incentives or collaborations with external organizations. A low take-up of offers; a lack of resources, structures or management support; compatibility of offers with work time and organization; challenges with available trainings or the consideration of individual needs and capacities were highlighted as challenges. Overall, there is a need for further interventional and longitudinal research on WHP in social firms.

[Prevention and management of COVID-19 outbreaks on merchant ships]. / Prävention und Management von COVID-19-Ausbrüchen auf Handelsschiffen: Technische, organisatorische und persönliche Schutzmaßnahmen zur Risikominimierung in einem besonderen Arbeitsumfeld.

BACKGROUND: A pandemic is a particular medical challenge for seafarers traveling without a physician on board. At the same time the global fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has to rely on resilient merchant shipping in order to maintain the flow of goods. For infection prevention and management on board, those responsible need a portfolio of protective measures that can be used on ships. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The overview examines the question of which technical, organizational and personal protective measures can be used on a merchant ship in order to prevent or cope with COVID-19 outbreaks on board. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Guidelines, information and occupational health and safety standards from the maritime setting, but also from many other work areas, were examined in order to facilitate a variable use by those responsible (e.g. according to ship size, equipment, weather, operating status, work requirements, contact with external persons, medical problems). RESULTS: A handout was compiled that contains specific technical, organizational and personal protective measures for crews, explaining their use in a maritime context. Possible safety barriers, options to combine them and an appropriate timing are explained in a target group-oriented manner. CONCLUSION: A great variety of protective measures derived from occupational medical literature and the experience of the port medical service in Hamburg can also be implemented on the high seas. In pandemic times, merchant ships should be equipped with foresight (e.g. with rapid diagnostic tests) and those responsible should be authorized to use effective infection control measures adapted to the situation on board. Seafarers should receive priority vaccination offers regardless of their national origin.

A mass casualty incident of infectious diseases at the port of Hamburg: an analysis of organizational structures and emergency concepts.

BACKGROUND: The project "ARMIHN" (Adaptive Resiliency Management in Port) focuses on strengthening the capability to act in a mass casualty incident (MCI) due to an outbreak of infectious diseases (MCI-ID). In addition to the current threat from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated outbreaks on cruise ships, previous MCI-ID were especially caused by pathogens such as Influenza virus or Norovirus. The first step was, to get an overview of processes and resources using the example of the Port of Hamburg, and to show the associated interaction of involved parties. This will serve as a basis for developing an operational strategy and offers the opportunity to optimize current work processes. METHODS: A selective literature research using specified key words was performed and existing MCI concepts were received from local authorities. Identified structures and processes were analyzed in a multiple step process and also brought together through discussions in workshops with involved organizations and other experts. Additionally, the distances between the nearest rescue stations and selected hospitals from the Port of Hamburg were analyzed. RESULTS: The current available concepts are proven, but an adaptation to an MCI-ID shows opportunities for a further cross-organizational development. The organizational structure of an MCI-ID in the Port of Hamburg was described, including a large number of involved organizations (n = 18). There are 17 involved fire and rescue stations and the port can be reached from these locations within 6 to 35 min. Based on their specialist expertise, 14 of the 31 listed clinics were selected. CONCLUSION: The purpose of the study was to provide an analysis of the current situation and show how involved parties would cope an MCI. A description of processes and resources at the Port of Hamburg will be used when designing a management plan for responding to an MCI-ID.

"One of My Basic Necessities of Life Is Work. That's Just Broken Away."-Explorative Triangulation of Personal and Work-Related Impacts for Supervisors and Disabled Employees in German Social Firms during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Social firms are located on the general labor market and employ 30-50% of severely disabled people. Findings on personal and work-related impacts for employees and supervisors during the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet available and will be investigated in the present study. Using the approach of a method triangulation, focus groups with employees and individual interviews with supervisors of several social firms from the North of Germany were combined and collected in parallel. Between July and November 2020, 16 semi-structured telephone interviews with supervisors and three focus groups with 3-6 employees each working within the same team (14 employees in total) were conducted. Both formats were recorded, transcribed, anonymized, and analyzed by using Mayring's qualitative content analysis. Because a large proportion of the employees and supervisors interviewed worked in the gastronomy sector, they were particularly affected by the "restriction of social contacts" beginning in March 2020. Hygiene and distance regulations were implemented and personnel planning and distribution of work were adapted. Challenges were raised for employees with disabilities due to the implementation of hygiene and distance regulations, a sudden loss of work, lacking routines, additional work, a lack of movement, social contacts and financial challenges. Both employees and supervisors reported fears of infection, conflicts, additional work and fears of job loss. Additionally, supervisors dealt with less staffing, challenges in detaching from work and a strained economic situation. Overall, new insights were gained into the work-related impacts for employees and supervisors in inclusive workplaces during the current COVID-19 pandemic but further research on health-promoting structures is needed.

Systematic Review on Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on Cruise, Navy and Cargo Ships.

The confined environment of a ship promotes the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to close contact among the population on board. The study aims to provide an overview of outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on board of cruise, navy or cargo ships, to identify relevant outbreak management techniques, related problems and to derive recommendations for prevention. Four databases were searched. The study selection included reports about seroprevalences or clinically/laboratory confirmed infections of SARS-CoV-2 on board ships between the first of January, 2020 and the end of July, 2020. A total of 37 studies were included of whom 33 reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on cruise ships (27 studies referred to the Diamond Princess). Two studies considered outbreaks on the Grand Princess, three studies informed about Nile River cruises and one study about the MS Westerdam (mention of multiple outbreaks possible in one study). Additionally, three studies reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on navy vessels and one study referred to a cargo ship. Problems in handling outbreaks resulted from a high number of asymptomatic infections, transportation issues, challenges in communication or limited access to health care. Responsible operators need to implement infection control measures which should be described in outbreak management plans for ships to prevent transmission risks, including, e.g., education, testing strategies, communication lines, social distancing and hygiene regulations.

[Social isolation among teleworkers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Soziale Isolation im Homeoffice im Kontext der COVID-19-Pandemie: Hinweise für die Gestaltung von Homeoffice im Hinblick auf soziale Bedürfnisse.

BACKGROUND: During the peak times of the COVID-19 pandemic, which were characterized by contact restrictions, many companies initiated telework for their employees due to infection prevention. OBJECTIVE: In this literature review working from home and therefore digital cooperation in a virtual team was investigated, focusing on the organization of occupational health promotion aspects in the context of prevention of social isolation. RESULTS: The current occupational health psychology research identified appropriate and enriched information and communication media accompanied by sufficient and understandable technical support as basic prerequisites for the collaboration of location-independent teams. Also, a continuous socially supporting communication within the team and with the supervisor as well as health-promoting leadership have a positive impact on the employees' mental health. Additionally, individual (digital) health promotion interventions and flexible working hours are recommended. CONCLUSION: These multifactorial approaches to measures derived from the literature are suggested for companies with employees working predominantly from home to reduce work-related adverse health effects from the crisis, especially with respect to social isolation and to promote their employees' health.