Minority and Immigrant Workers – Work, Stress, and Health

Occupational Health Equity Program at NIOSH

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Not all workers have the same risk of experiencing a work-related health problem, even when they have the same job. The way societies configure social and economic institutions influence workers? exposure to occupational hazards (differential exposure) as well as their ability to cope with adverse consequences of an occupational injury or illness (differential susceptibility). The Occupational Health Equity program is working to integrate a social determinants of health approach to occupational safety and health.

An Intersectional Relational Class Framework for Occupational Health Equity Research

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021

Workers with multiple minoritized social locations (or socially constructed identities and positions) are more apt to experience inequitable conditions of the work and nonwork environments that affect their health and wellbeing. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce an intersectional relational class framework and discuss how such a framework can help occupational health and safety (OHS) researchers and professionals better understand the relations between systems of power (e.g., racism, sexism, classism), the work and nonwork environments, and occupational health (OH) inequities. This intersectional relational class framework pushes forward the science and disciplines of OHS to comprehensively examine systems of power and its relation to differential OH outcomes through the interplay of the work and nonwork environments. New knowledge guided by this framework will lay the foundation for future OH equity research and practice.

Traversing the cacophonous office jungle: Investigating the effects of office type and organizational practices for autistic employees.

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Informed by person-environment fit theory, this cross-sectional study examined the effects of office design (open-plan vs. enclosed offices) and organizational practices (control, voice) on the job attitudes and well-being of 100 autistic employees. Results indicated that distractions were higher and environmental satisfaction, affective commitment were lower for autistic employees in an open plan office setting than those in enclosed office spaces. Perceived control and voice had significant relationships with attitudinal and well-being outcomes. The practical implications for employers include giving autistic employees the ability to reduce open-plan obstacles in ways they see fit, while also championing organizational practices to increase fit.

Association of perceived discrimination at work and depressive symptoms among correctional employees: Assessing the moderating role of sex, race/ethnicity, and job tenure

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

This study uses past participatory data in order to investigate how the mental health, and specifically depressive symptoms, of corrections workers is impacted by perceived workplace discrimination (PWD) from peers, superiors, and inmates. Due to the changing sociodemographic makeup of the corrections workforce and its paramilitary structure, this project will then discuss how belonging to a minority group within the field of corrections (ie. women and people of color) or being less tenured on the job moderates the relationship between PWD and depressive symptoms. This study found a significant positive association between PWD and depressive symptoms and that for those who had less job tenure, there was a stronger relationship between PWD and depressive symptoms. As diversity continues to increase in corrections, these findings can be used to develop interventions to reduce mental health disparities experienced by this population and illustrates a need for more programs that target less tenured employees.

Autistic employees’ experiences in the office environment and suggestions for improvement: A qualitative reflexive thematic analysis.

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Informed by person-environment fit theory, this study qualitatively investigated the experiences of autistic employees in the office environment in relation to their well-being and job attitudes. A total of 100 autistic employees of varied industries and countries participated in this survey, and the data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, albeit the analyses are at present incomplete. The themes identified by this study can inform measures employers take to increase autistic employee fit in the office.

Spillover effects of anti-Asian sentiment on Asian American employees’ well-being during COVID-19

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in anti-Asian discrimination and violence in the United States. The current study examines the effects of personal and vicarious exposure to anti-Asian sentiments on the well-being of Asian American employees, finding that both impacted Asian American employees? physical, mental, and job-related well-being. We further found that coworker support buffered employees against the harm of personal discrimination. Results underscore the need for organizations to consider how their Asian American employees may be uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to take actions to proactively support this employee population.

The influence of COVID-19 on the Sleep Patterns of Black Nurses

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Social and environmental work and non-work experiences increase the risk for sleep deficiency (i.e., sleep duration, quality) among healthcare workers self-identifying as Black. As the COVID-19 pandemic increased the workload, stress, and disrupted sleep of healthcare workers, little was published on the sleep of registered nurses self-identifying as Black. This cross-section study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the protests of George Floyd?s murder, found registered nurses self-identified as Black reported experiencing sleep deficiencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sleep and health of registered nurses identifying as Black should be considered more contextually, as these nurses may need more holistic support to achieve healthy sleep.

Identifying and examining the impact of worker demographics on worker safety, health, and well-being: Advancing the NORA for Healthy Work Design and Well-Being

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Gaps in the literature on the effects of demographic characteristics on worker safety, health, and well-being continue to persist. The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) for Healthy Work Design and Well-Being (HWD) identifies those gaps, and the HWD Council has developed a plan for how to address the gaps and advance the Agenda. This poster not only aims to make its audience aware of the NORA for HWD research gaps related to understanding the different effects of demographic characteristics on worker safety, health, and well-being, but also to initiate the process of connecting potential research partners and stakeholders.

Identifying the Skill and Knowledge Gaps of Supervisors of Employees with Developmental Disabilities

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

Given that individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) are a severely underutilized talent pool in today?s workforce, there is an urgent need for research that increases organizational readiness for the inclusion of this population. The present study makes an important and timely contribution to this effort by identifying the skill and knowledge gaps of supervisors of employees with DD. Findings from this study will inform the development of holistic training programs that will increase supervisor capacity to manage and support employees with DD, resulting in positive long-term employment outcomes.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Teleworking During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis

November 13, 2021November 12, 2021

This study examines the impact of race and ethnicity on the incidence of teleworking and examine to what extent this impact is mediated by education and occupation. Quantifying the relative role of mediators in explaining racial and ethnic teleworking disparities would help inform intervention efforts and best practices.