Relationship between financial distress and mistreatment of workers regarding the COVID-19 prevention measures: A 1-year prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: A substantial number of workers' experience mistreatment in the workplace, impacting workers' health and companies' functioning. Vulnerability of those with lower income has been reported, yet little is known about mistreatment during COVID-19. This study aims to examine whether workers in financial distress are particularly prone to mistreatment at the workplace with reference to pandemic-related infection prevention measures. METHODS: An internet-based, year-long prospective cohort study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Participants were recruited from workers aged 20 and 65 years and currently employed at baseline. In total, 27 036 were included in the analysis and 18 170 responded to the follow-up survey. The odds ratio (OR) of mistreatment at the workplace regarding COVID-19 associated with the financial condition at baseline was estimated using multilevel logistic regression analysis nested by participant residence. RESULTS: Compared with workers in a comfortable financial condition, those under financial stress showed significantly higher ORs of mistreatment (age- and sex-adjusted model: 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75-2.47, P < .001, model adjusted for socioeconomic factors: 2.14, 95% CI 1.79-2.55, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Workers in financial distress were shown to be vulnerable to mistreatment at work regarding infection prevention measures in the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring a double burden of poverty and mistreatment. The perspective of vulnerable groups needs to be taken into account when implementing countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. As unfair treatment in the workplace might distort vulnerable employees' reactions to infection control (e.g., hiding infection), financial deprivation should be considered a public health issue.

The effects of telecommuting and family cohabiting situation on psychological distress in Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether telecommuting's impact on psychological distress differed depending on the status of workers' cohabiting family members during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We collected data from 33 302 workers in Japan through an Internet survey, and included 27 036 valid responses in the analysis. The survey included items on family cohabitation and telecommuting status during the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed workers' psychological distress using the Kessler 6. RESULTS: The psychological distress odds ratios (ORs) were higher for participants who lived with family members requiring care (OR = 1.38, P < .001), and lower for participants living with preschool children (OR = 0.77, P < .001) or a spouse (OR = 0.80, P < .001). Furthermore, odds ratios were higher for participants who worked from home and lived with family members requiring care or preschool children (OR = 1.52, P = .002; OR = 1.28, P = .028). Stratified by the presence or absence of family members living with them, psychological distress was higher for telecommuters with family members requiring care, preschool children, or elementary school children. CONCLUSION: The association between telecommuting and psychological distress varies, depending on workers' living situation with family members.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between Telecommuting Environments and Shoulder Pain Among Japanese Telecommuting Workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between telecommuting environments and shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters. METHODS: We conducted an Internet-monitored, cross-sectional study and analyzed 2537 participants who mainly telecommuted at least 4 days per week. We assessed the presence of shoulder pain using a numerical rating scale and the characteristics of the telecommuting environment by asking eight questions. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis with the city of residence as a random effect. RESULTS: Inadequate desk brightness (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.78), inadequate foot space (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02-1.58), and uncomfortable temperature and humidity (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.72) were associated with shoulder pain in multilevel logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate telecommuting environments were associated with an increase in the prevalence of shoulder pain in Japanese telecommuters.

Changes in work/sleep patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with psychological distress among Japanese workers.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted working life quality. This study investigated whether changes in work/sleep patterns due to the pandemic are related to poor psychological status among Japanese workers during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2020). We hypothesized that workers who experienced drastic changes in working hours and sleep duration would be at an increased risk of psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered Internet survey was conducted that included questions regarding socio-demographics, lifestyle, health, and occupational background and conditions. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine the association between psychological distress and a combination of changes in working hours and sleep duration. Results: Among 25,762 workers, decreased work hours and decreased sleep duration presented 2.59 times higher odds of psychological distress (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.05-3.28) compared to those who had no changes in work hours combined with unchanged sleep duration (reference group). Increased work hours and decreased sleep duration were associated with 1.98 times higher odds of psychological distress (95% CI = 1.64-2.39). Conclusion: Our observations confirmed that decreased sleep duration could be a key factor for psychological distress, irrespective of working hours. Interestingly, workers with a combination of decreased work hours and sleep duration posed the highest risk of psychological distress. Decreased work hours accompanied by financial difficulties in the early stage of the pandemic may have caused decreased sleep duration, resulting in a high prevalence of psychological distress. Our study underlined the importance of sleep management in maintaining workers' mental health, moreover, the need to consider situations and conditions of other daily tasks, such as work hours, for better sleep management.

Occupational Factors Associated with Telemedicine Use in the Japanese Working-Age Population: A Web-Based Study Conducted during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Telemedicine has significant potential for helping workers access medical treatment. To improve workers' access to telemedicine, it is important to analyze current utilization rates and influencing factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the associations between occupational factors and telemedicine use. A 1-year follow-up study of 4,882 full-time workers receiving regular treatment in Japan was conducted from December 2020 to December 2021. Occupational factors associated with the use of telemedicine were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 191 participants had experience of using telemedicine (3.9%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (37.0%), followed by back pain and arthritis (19.8%) and depression and psychiatric disorders (14.5%). Managers and executives [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68-3.43, P < = 0.026], finance industry workers (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.24-5.49, P = 0.011), and individuals with experience of teleworking (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.52-2.85, P < 0.001) were more likely to use telemedicine. Telemedicine usage was least common among workers aged 50-59 years (aOR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22-0.57, P < 0.001) and those with long working hours (≥ 9.0 hours/day) (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38-0.93, P < 0.022). The utilization rate of telemedicine in Japan is still low. This study identified occupational factors related to the use of telemedicine, such as worker's age, employee status, working hours, and experience of teleworking. Our findings suggest that flexible work arrangements could promote widespread use of telemedicine.

Association between Perceived Organizational Support for Infection Prevention and Work Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Although the correlation between perceived organizational support (POS) and work engagement has been investigated in several studies, the relationship between health-focused POS and work engagement has not been clarified. We prospectively evaluated the influence of workers' POS for infection prevention (POS-IP) on employees' work engagement. This prospective cohort study was conducted from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021 (1-year follow-up) using a self-administered internet questionnaire. At follow-up, there were 18,560 respondents, and after excluding 6677 respondents who had changed jobs or retired since baseline or who were self-employed; thus, 11,883 participants were included in the analysis. We asked participants a single question on POS-IP and the three-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3), and then analyzed the relationship between POS-IP at baseline and UWES-3 at follow-up using multilevel regression analysis. Work engagement at follow-up was significantly higher in the groups with "low", "high", and "very high" POS-IP at baseline as compared with the "very low" group (all, p < 0.001). A dose-response relationship was also observed between the POS-IP categories at baseline and work engagement at follow-up (p for trend < 0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, POS-IP can increase work engagement after 1 year.

Workplace Infection Control Measures and Perceived Organizational Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether workplace infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic could increase perceived organizational support (POS). METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Japan from December 2020 to December 2021 using a questionnaire survey. There were 18,560 respondents at follow-up; we investigated 4971 who rated low POS at baseline. The participants were asked a single question about POS and nine about workplace infection control measures. We determined the odds ratios (ORs) of high POS at follow-up using multilevel logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The groups of 5 to 6 (OR = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.57, P = 0.014) and 7 to 9 workplace infection control measures (OR = 1.54, 95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.85, P < 0.001) had significantly higher ORs than the group with 0 to 2 measures. CONCLUSIONS: Health support for employees through workplace infection control measures can increase POS.

Effect of Working from Home on the Association between Job Demands and Psychological Distress.

Limited information is available regarding the association between workplace psychosocial factors and general mental health status among workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study examined how working from home affected the association between job demands and psychological distress (PD). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in December 2020 (N = 27,036). The dependent variable (PD) was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Job demands were assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire. Working from home was determined by participants' responses to the question, "Do you currently work from home?" We used a two-level regression analysis adjusted for prefecture. Each individual-level variable at Level 1 was nested into each prefecture at Level 2, stratified by working from home or not. Overall, 21.3% of participants worked from home. The interaction between working from home and job demands was significant. Job demands were positively associated with PD. The stratified analysis indicated that the associations were weaker among employees who worked from home compared with those among employees who did not. The association between job demands and PD may be weakened by working from home.

Effect of Working from Home on the Association between Job Demands and Psychological Distress

Limited information is available regarding the association between workplace psychosocial factors and general mental health status among workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study examined how working from home affected the association between job demands and psychological distress (PD). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in December 2020 (N = 27,036). The dependent variable (PD) was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Job demands were assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire. Working from home was determined by participants' responses to the question, 'Do you currently work from home?';We used a two-level regression analysis adjusted for prefecture. Each individual-level variable at Level 1 was nested into each prefecture at Level 2, stratified by working from home or not. Overall, 21.3% of participants worked from home. The interaction between working from home and job demands was significant. Job demands were positively associated with PD. The stratified analysis indicated that the associations were weaker among employees who worked from home compared with those among employees who did not. The association between job demands and PD may be weakened by working from home.

Low back pain and telecommuting in Japan: Influence of work environment quality.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between frequency of working from home and low back pain (LBP), considering the quality of work environment. METHODS: The study was based on a cross-sectional internet-based survey. Of 33 302 respondents, data from 12 774 desk workers were retained for analysis. We used a 0-10 numerical rating scale to assess LBP. Work environment was assessed using five subjective questions. Mixed-effects logistic regression nested by city level was used to analyze the relationship between frequency of working from home and LBP, stratified by work environment condition. RESULTS: The prevalence of LBP was 21.0%. Among those reporting a poor work environment, as opposed to almost never working from home, the multivariate odds ratio (OR) of LBP were as follows: working from home less than 1 day per week: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89-1.76, p = .190; 2-3 days per week: OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.16-2.16, p = .004; and 4 or more days per week: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.38-2.40, p < .001. By contrast, among those reporting a good work environment, the OR of LBP did not increase as the frequency of working from home increased. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between LBP and frequency of working from home was found to vary with the quality of the work environment; more specifically, LBP was associated with frequency of teleworking in a poor work environment. This study suggests that employers should give more support to their employees in promoting a good work environment to prevent LBP. (Words: 240/250).

Association Between Telecommuting Environment and Low Back Pain Among Japanese Telecommuting Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationship between telecommuting environment and low back pain (LBP) among desk-based workers in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 3663 desk-based, telecommuting workers. LBP was assessed using a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale. The telecommuting environment was evaluated using subjective questions. Mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate this association. RESULTS: The results of mixed-effects logistic model revealed that not having a place or room to concentrate on work, desk not well-lit enough for work, lack of space on the desk to work, not having enough legroom, and uncomfortable temperature and humidity conditions in the workspace were significantly associated with higher odds of LBP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that telecommuting environment is associated with the prevalence of LBP.