Community support workers' experiences of working during the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper investigates the way in which COVID-19 has exacerbated the poor work conditions within community support work in Aotearoa-New Zealand. It examines the invisibility of care work in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of Government policy and communication, societal recognition of care work, and the spatially hidden nature of the work. It does so within the of gender norms in the socio-cultural, socio-spatial and socio-legal spheres that render this work and workers invisible. This paper documents the experiences of community support workers and contributes to our theoretical understanding of frontline health workers' experiences of work during a global public health crisis. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Mental and Physical Well-Being and Burden in Palliative Care Nursing: A Cross-Setting Mixed-Methods Study.

The working routines in palliative care nursing are associated with a variety of causes of stress with regional and setting-specific differences in Germany. This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate the mental and physical well-being among nurses in German palliative and hospice care and to gain a deeper understanding of procedural and structural aspects that may influence the mental and physical burden in palliative nursing care. The mixed-methods approach combined qualitative interviews, (n = 16) an online survey (n = 101), and subsequent data validation in a focus group (n = 6). Interview and focus group data were analysed using structured qualitative content analysis. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and an explorative quantitative analysis. Moderate to very high levels of stress were reported across all settings, but were highest for nurses in specialized outpatient palliative care settings. Underlying causes of stress related to working conditions in the nursing profession across all palliative care settings were poor working hours, perceived inadequate remuneration, and high demands for documentation. To ensure sustainable high-quality palliative care, adaptations to working conditions that target causes of stress and burden in palliative care nurses are required.

Workplace factors that promote and hinder work ability and return to work among individuals with long-term effects of COVID-19: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID is defined by the persistence of physical and/or psychological and cognitive symptoms debuting after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals affected describe impairing and debilitating symptoms sometimes making it difficult to take part in work and social life. Long COVID is likely to have an impact on the work force. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore workplace factors that promote and hinder work ability and return to work among individuals with long-term effects of COVID-19. METHODS: A qualitative design was used. Data were collected by semi-structured focus group interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. To increase trustworthiness, several researchers were involved in the data collection and analysis. Five focus group interviews were conducted with individuals suffering from long-term effects from COVID-19 affecting their work ability. In total, 19 individuals participated in the study, and all were working at least 50 per cent at the time of the recruitment. RESULTS: Five main themes emerged from the analysis: Communication and support, Possibilities to adjust work, Acceptance of new limitations, Increased need for recovery from work and Lack of knowledge and understanding of the effects of Covid. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that it is useful to facilitate communication, support and work adjustments for individuals suffering from Long COVID. It is also important to accept limitations and fluctuations in work ability and encourage recovery during and after work.

Predictive Factors of the Burnout Syndrome Occurrence in the Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is probably the most critical epidemiological situation that human civilization has faced in the last few decades. In this context, of all the professional categories involved in the management of patients with COVID-19 are the most likely to develop burnout syndrome. The main objective of this study is to analyze specific predictive factors of the occurrence and development of the burnout syndrome in the healthcare workers involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COVID-19. The study focused on determining factors of the occurrence, development and maintaining the specific burnout syndrome related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic infection. The study was conducted on a sample of 959 participants, medical personnel from all the public medical entities in Romania(including 5 hospitals): 122 male and 755 female (82 participants did not declare their gender), with a mean age of 42.29 years (SD = 9.97). The sample included 219 doctors, 477 nurses, 214 auxiliary medical personnel and 49 other types of hospital workers. A cross-sectional design was used. Three predictors of the burnout syndrome were identified: Work conditions, Fear of the consequences (including death) determined by the COVID-19 and Need for emotional support. Meaning of work had a moderating role. Several moderated mediation models were tested. The indirect relationship of Work conditions with burnout via Fear of infection was statistically significant; in addition, the indirect effect of Work conditions on burnout through both fear of infection and need for support was statistically significant. The moderation analysis showed that Meaning of work buffer the relationship between Work conditions and Fear of infection. The variance explained by the model including the moderator (30%) was higher than the variance explained by Model 1 (27%), showing that adding the moderating effect of Meaning of work to the relationship of Work conditions with burnout was relevant. The results could be used to design specific interventions to reduce the occurrence of the burnout syndrome in healthcare workers, the implementation of a strategy to motivate employees by highlighting and recognizing the high significance of the work of those in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.

Working Conditions and Wellbeing among Prison Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Comparison to Community Nurses.

The psychological health and work challenges of nurses working in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic are understudied. We evaluated the work and wellbeing characteristics of a California prison nurse group, with a comparison to those of a community nurse group. From May to November 2020, an online survey measured psychosocial and organizational work factors, sleep habits, psychological characteristics, COVID-19 impacts, and pre-pandemic recall among 62 prison nurses and 47 community nurses. Prison nurses had significantly longer work hours (54.73 ± 14.52, p < 0.0001), higher pandemic-related work demands, and less sleep hours (5.36 ± 1.30, p < 0.0001) than community nurses. Community nurses had significantly higher pandemic-related fear levels (work infection: p = 0.0115, general: p = 0.0025) and lower perceived personal protective equipment (PPE) supply (p = 0.0103). Between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, both groups had significantly increased night shift assignments and decreased sleep hours, but the prison group had increased work hours. Although not statistically significant, both groups had high occupational stress and prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Our results indicate that prison nurses experienced work and wellbeing challenges during the pandemic. Future research and practice ought to address nurses' workload, PPE, and psychological resources in correctional facilities and healthcare organizations.

Relationships among burnout, job dissatisfaction, psychosocial work conditions and minor mental disorders of precarious employment in Taiwan

Background: Precarious employment is a major determinant of mental health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic and development of digital economic platforms have enhanced the ratio of precarious employment relationship. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among burnout, job dissatisfaction, psychosocial work conditions and minor mental disorders of precarious employment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using the questionnaire from a national survey of employees in 2013. Minor mental disorder was measured using the five-item brief symptom rating scale (BSRS-5). 1909 males and 1499 females, with a total of 3408 nonstandard employees aged 20 to 65, including short-term and temporary precarious employment, have been analyzed. Also obtained were participants' sex, age, type of industry, status of shift work, job dissatisfaction, burnout as well as psychosocial work conditions. Results: The prevalence of minor mental disorders among precarious work condition in man and women were 16.08% and 19.35%, respectively. When we adjusted age and status of shift work, associations between minor mental disorders and female, job dissatisfaction, increased scores in burnout, and high psychological demand of work was noticed. When we further categorized by sex, it was found that job dissatisfaction and increased scores in burnout were significantly related with an increased risk for minor mental disorders in both male and female workers. The odds of minor mental disorders was significantly related with an increased scores in psychological demand of work among female precarious workers. Conclusions: This research study provides directions for future researches.

The working conditions for personal support workers in the Greater Toronto Area during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE: During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, personal support workers (PSWs) were heralded as healthcare 'heroes' as many of them cared for high-risk, vulnerable older populations, and worked in long-term care, which experienced a high number of COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths. While essential to the healthcare workforce, there is little understanding of PSW working conditions during the pandemic. The aim of our study was to examine the working conditions (including job security, work policies, and personal experiences) for PSWs in the Greater Toronto Area during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of PSWs. METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods design. From June to December 2020, we conducted a survey of 634 PSWs to understand their working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews with 31 survey respondents were conducted from February to May 2021 to understand in greater depth how working conditions were impacting the well-being of PSWs. RESULTS: We found PSWs faced a range of challenges related to COVID-19, including anxiety about contracting COVID-19, reduced work hours, taking leaves of absences, concerns about job security, and losing childcare. While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the PSW workforce and their importance to the healthcare system (especially in the long-term care system), pre-existing poor work conditions of insecure jobs with no paid sick days and benefits exacerbated COVID-19-related challenges. Despite these hardships, PSWs were able to rely on their mental resilience and passion for their profession to cope with challenges. CONCLUSION: Significant changes need to be made to improve PSW working conditions. Better compensation, increased job security, decreased workload burden, and mental health supports are needed.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Au plus fort de la pandémie de COVID-19, les préposés aux bénéficiaires (PAB) étaient salués comme les « héros ¼ des soins de santé, car beaucoup s'occupaient de populations vulnérables et âgées à risque élevé et travaillaient dans le milieu des soins de longue durée, qui était aux prises avec un grand nombre d'éclosions de COVID-19 et de décès. Malgré l'importance névralgique des PAB dans la main-d'œuvre des soins de santé, leurs conditions de travail durant la pandémie sont peu connues. Nous avons cherché à examiner les conditions de travail (sécurité d'emploi, régimes de travail et expériences personnelles) des PAB dans la région du Grand Toronto durant la pandémie de COVID-19 selon la perspective de ces PAB. MéTHODE: Nous avons utilisé un plan d'étude à méthodes mixtes. De juin à décembre 2020, nous avons sondé 634 PAB pour connaître leurs conditions de travail durant la pandémie de COVID-19. Des entretiens semi-directifs ont été menés auprès de 31 répondants et répondantes entre les mois de février et de mai 2021 pour approfondir notre compréhension de l'impact des conditions de travail des PAB sur leur bien-être. RéSULTATS: Nous avons constaté que les PAB ont connu de nombreuses difficultés en lien avec la COVID-19, dont l'anxiété à l'idée de transmettre la COVID-19, les heures de travail réduites, la prise de congés, les craintes pour leur sécurité d'emploi et la perte de services de garde. Bien que la pandémie de COVID-19 ait braqué les projecteurs sur les PAB et leur importance pour le système de soins de santé (surtout dans le système de soins de longue durée), leurs mauvaises conditions de travail préexistantes ­ des emplois précaires sans congés de maladie payés ni avantages sociaux ­ ont exacerbé les problèmes posés par la COVID-19. Malgré ces épreuves, les PAB ont pu compter sur leur résilience mentale et leur passion pour la profession pour faire face aux difficultés. CONCLUSION: D'importants changements doivent être apportés pour améliorer les conditions de travail des PAB. De meilleurs salaires, une plus grande sécurité d'emploi, une charge de travail allégée et des mesures d'appui à la santé mentale sont nécessaires.

Work in stressful conditions in medical emergency system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic caused a change in the way of providing healthcare services, limiting direct access to doctors, suspending planned treatments and medical consultations, but despite the risks and restrictions, the medical rescue system as a key element of health care for the society continues to function. The system provides medical assistance to patients in the most severe condition, both with a negative result for SARS-CoV-2, as well as with a positive or undiagnosed result. It is a review aimed at analyzing the most important psychological aspects of the work of emergency medical care system personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search were used to analyze the problem. The following keywords were used to search for information sources: paramedic, work, emergency medical care system, emergency department, ambulance service, COVID-19, pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus. The articles were selected in terms of the psychological aspects of the work of the emergency medical care system personnel during the pandemic in 2020-2021. The psychosocial problems that come to the fore during a pandemic include increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional exhaustion, vicarious traumatization, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In the context of the increased risk of psychological problems due to pandemic, it is necessary to provide psychological support to the medical staff, both in terms of psychological support for the entire team and individually. Med Pr. 2022;73(3):241-50.

COVID-19 and decent work: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these impacts, those related to the SDG 8 can be highlighted. Consequently, the literature has addressed aspects related to economic growth and decent work. OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on decent work according to the literature. METHODS: For this, a bibliometric analysis was conducted. Data from Web of Science were collected, and VOSviewer software was used to perform the analysis. RESULTS: Regarding the results, four main clusters that govern the subject were identified. A first cluster (identified in red) evidenced the consequences of the pandemic to the generation of informal work, increasing poverty and the impacts on gender issues. A second cluster (identified in blue) addresses mental health and stress issues, especially for nurses professionals who experience a situation in the COVID-19 pandemic. The green cluster focused on unemployment, precarious employment, and work conditions, which were highly related to coronavirus contagion. Finally, the yellow cluster evidenced the final consequences when there is a substantial public health problem. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here can be helpful to researchers interested in the, as it allows a broad and condensed view of important information about a relevant topic for sustainable economic development.

Evaluating Polish nurses' working conditions and patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIM: To study the relationship between Polish nurses' working conditions and their attitudes towards patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, healthcare worldwide has been reorganised. How these changes affected patient safety for hospitalised persons is not well understood. INTRODUCTION: Difficult working conditions related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the provision of safe and effective care by healthcare staff. METHODS: This observational research was performed on the group of 577 nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic in isolation infection wards (n = 201) and non-infectious diseases wards (n = 376) in Polish hospitals. The evaluation of working conditions was performed with an author's questionnaire, while the evaluation of factors influencing attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients was performed using Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. The STROBE checklist was used to report this study. RESULTS: The procedures developed by management in advance for COVID-19 patient treatment had a statistically significant influence on nurses' 'evaluation of teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, perception of management and work conditions'. Providing management with the ability to perform a swab polymerase chain reaction SARS-CoV-2 test for hospital staff in the workplace, and psychological support from professionals and employers were statistically significant for higher ratings of 'teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, stress recognition, perception of management and work conditions' by the Polish nurses. Hospital workload during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly correlated with lower evaluation of work conditions. DISCUSSION: Our study reinforces the existing literature on many fronts and demonstrates how even when operating under the COVID-19 pandemic conditions, some factors remain critical for fostering a culture of patient safety. Reinforcing patient safety practices is a imperative under these conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Working conditions influence nurses' attitudes towards safety of the hospitalised patients. These are largely modifiable factors related to the workplace and include prior preparation of procedures, restrictions to extending daily work hours and psychological counselling for the staff.

Working conditions and perceptions of nursing professionals who work to cope with covid-19 in Brazil / Condições de trabalho e percepções de profissionais de enfermagem que atuam no enfrentamento à covid-19 no Brasil

Resumo Diante da importância do trabalho de Enfermagem no combate a epidemias e dos desafios impostos pela covid-19 ao exercício da profissão, o objetivo deste artigo é analisar as condições de trabalho e as percepções das profissionais de Enfermagem sobre sua atuação no contexto da pandemia de covid-19 no Brasil. Para tanto, realizamos uma pesquisa de caráter exploratório, a partir de um questionário online, aplicado entre 15 de junho e 1º de julho de 2020, respondido por 445 profissionais. Realizamos análise qualitativa, fundamentada na análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin e Saldaña. No campo das sensações, os relatos das profissionais evidenciam medo, aumento da irritabilidade, sobrecarga de trabalho, tristeza e solidão. A pandemia da covid-19 alterou os processos de trabalho e a organização dos serviços, influenciando no dimensionamento do quantitativo de profissionais, na jornada de trabalho e na modalidade de execução, além de demandar maior vigilância quanto às medidas de prevenção e contágio. As mudanças impactaram no tempo disponibilizado para atendimento, na interação entre profissionais e usuários, e prejudicou a comunicação. A relevância do trabalho de Enfermagem junto às equipes de saúde no enfrentamento à covid-19 no Brasil reforça a necessidade de adoção de medidas eficazes de proteção e preservação da saúde física e mental dessas profissionais.

Abstract Before the importance of nursing in fighting epidemics and the challenges imposed on the exercise of the profession by COVID-19, this paper aims to analyze the working conditions and perceptions of nursing professionals regarding their performance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This exploratory research consisted of data collected through an online survey answered by 445 nursing professionals between June 15th and July 1st, 2020. Data underwent a qualitative content analysis in the light of the propositions of Bardin and Saldaña. In the field of sensations, the professionals' reports show fear, increased irritability, work overload, sadness, and loneliness. Besides demanding greater vigilance regarding preventive measures to reduce contagion, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the work processes and services organization, influencing the quantitative dimensioning of professionals, working hours, and execution mode. Moreover, these changes impacted the time available for care and the interaction between professionals and users. The relevance of nursing work and health teams in confronting COVID-19 in Brazil reinforces the need for effective measures aimed at protecting and preserving these professionals' physical and mental health.

Home care workers' experiences of work conditions related to their occupational health: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The need for home care workers (HCWs) is rapidly growing in Norway due to the increasingly growing elderly population. HCWs are exposed to a number of occupational hazards and physically demanding work tasks. Musculoskeletal disorders, stress, exhaustion, high sick leave rates and a high probability of being granted a disability pension are common challenges. This qualitative study explored the views of HCWs on how working conditions affect their safety, health, and wellbeing. METHODS: A descriptive and explorative design was utilised using semi-structured individual interviews with eight HCWs from three home care units in a middle-sized Norwegian city. Interviews were conducted in the Norwegian language, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed by systematic text condensation. Key data quotes were translated into English by the authors. RESULTS: HCWs reported that meaningful work-related interactions and relationships contributed to their improved wellbeing. Challenging interactions, such as verbal violence by consumers, were deemed stressful. The unpredictable work conditions HCWs encounter in users' homes contributed to their exposure to environmental hazards and unhealthy physical workloads. This was the case, although the employer promoted ergonomic work practices such as ergonomic body mechanics when mobilising and handling of clients, using safe patient handling equipment. HCWs perceived high level of individual responsibility for complying with company safety policies and practices, representing a health barrier for some. Organisational frameworks created unhealthy work conditions by shift work, time pressure and staffing challenges. Performing tasks in accordance with HCWs professional skills and identity was perceived as health-promoting. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that unpredictable working conditions at users' home can adversely affect the safety, health, and wellbeing of HCWs. The interaction between the unpredictable environment at users' homes, HCWs' perceived high level of individual responsibility for complying with company safety policies and practices, and staffing challenges due to sickness-related absences upon the workplace creates tense work conditions with a negative influence on HCWs health.

Awareness and use of (emergency) sick leave: US employees' unaddressed sick leave needs in a global pandemic.

We study US sick leave use and unaddressed sick leave needs in the midst of the global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS COV 2) pandemic based on a representative survey. More than half of all US employees are unaware of the new emergency sick leave options provided by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Awareness and take-up rates are significantly higher among Asian Americans and lower among the foreign-born. About 8 million employees used emergency sick leave in the first 6 to 8 mo. Nevertheless, the share of employees who needed but could not take paid sick leave tripled in the pandemic; unaddressed sick leave needs total 15 million employees per month and are 69% higher among women. Our findings show that access to paid sick leave significantly reduces unaddressed sick leave needs. We conclude that given the fragmented US sick leave landscape, to address the strong increase in unaddressed sick leave needs during the pandemic, federal FFCRA response was not adequate.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, financial worries, and perceived organizational support among people living with disabilities in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with physical or mental health disabilities may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 on their health and employment. OBJECTIVES: We examined COVID-19-related concerns for health, finances, and organizational support among workers with no disability, a physical, mental health, or both physical and mental health disability, and factors associated with COVID-19 perceptions. METHODS: An online, cross-sectional survey was administered to a sample of Canadians in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Questions asked about COVID-19 perceptions, demographics (gender, age, education), work context (e.g., sector, contract work) and employment conditions (e.g., job stress, control, accommodation needs). Descriptive, multivariable, and nested regression analyses examined factors associated with COVID-19 perceptions. RESULTS: A total of 3066 participants completed the survey. Workers with both a physical and mental health disability reported significantly greater health and financial concerns and less organizational support than those with no disability. Workers with a physical disability reported more health concerns and those with a mental health disability reported more financial concerns and less organizational support. Respondents with disabilities also reported significant differences in employment conditions (e.g., more contract work, stress, unmet accommodation needs) than those with no disability. Employment conditions were consistently significant predictors of COVID-19 perceptions and attenuated the significance of disability type in analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on one's health, finances, and organizational support reflected existing disability inequities in employment conditions and highlight the importance of creating more inclusive employment opportunities for people living with physical and mental health disabilities.

When informal work and poor work conditions backfire and fuel the COVID-19 pandemic: Why we should listen to the lessons from Latin America.

Latin America is among the regions with the highest incidence of COVID-19 where the pandemic is creating a humanitarian crisis. In this Commentary we aim to reveal underlying problems of this crisis, that may be an underestimated global driver of the pandemic and a serious risk to health and healthcare systems. We set the focus on informal work and related poorly regulated sub-contracting which create poor work conditions as one dimension of the social determinants of health. We use the examples of Germany and Brazil, as opposite sides geographically and concerning the pandemic, to highlight a need for greater attention to these risks and for systematic inclusion in health systems resilience. In both countries, informal work may turn into hot spots of COVID-19, thus reinforcing social inequalities on a grand scale both nationally and globally. Our two contrasting country cases thus reveal a global threat that should be treated as such. There is much to learn for Europe and the world from Brazil and Latin America on what happens when informal labour and poor work environments backfire during the COVID-19 pandemic. We should listen carefully to these lessons.