Abuse and Wellbeing of Long-Term Care Workers in the COVID-19 Era: Evidence from the UK

Abstract

The UK long-term care workforce has endured difficult working conditions for many years. During the pandemic, the sector faced unprecedented challenges, which further exacerbated these conditions and brought concerns about workplace abuse and violence. Such experiences can vary by personal and work characteristics, particularly affecting minority ethnic groups. They can subsequently impact workers’ wellbeing and the sector overall. Drawing on the first wave of a UK longitudinal workforce survey, this article examined the impact of COVID-19 on social care workers’ working conditions, general health and wellbeing, and intentions to leave the employer and sector altogether. The analysis is based on both quantitative and qualitative responses 1037 valid responses received between April and June 2021. The respondents were predominantly female, working in direct care roles and mainly serving older adults (including those with dementia). The findings highlighted worrying experiences of abuse in relation to COVID-19, which differed significantly by nationality, ethnicity and care settings. The analysis further showcased the negative impact of experienced abuse on work-life balance and intentions to leave the current employer or the care sector altogether. The findings emphasise the need for targeted measures that promote workers’ physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.

English care home staff morale and preparedness during the COVID pandemic: A longitudinal analysis

“…We did not survey so early in the pandemic and did not have similar findings. Closer to our own survey dates is an online survey of 1047 social care workers in April-June 2021 for the RESSCW project 29 . In the few weeks prior to filling in the survey, 40% of respondents said their job made them feel cheerful most or all of the time, but 39% also said their job made them feel tense all or most of the time.…”

Relationship between Experience of Client Violence and Turnover Intention among Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities for Older Adults: Focusing on Nurses, Social Workers, and Care Workers

“…Client violence is not only a threat to LTC workers’ safety but also a risk factor for burnout and low job satisfaction [ 7 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], potentially leading to workers quitting their jobs [ 6 ]. Job satisfaction is defined by employees’ attitude toward their jobs based on their work environments [ 17 ].…”

“…Several researchers found the importance of job satisfaction as the mediator between job-related factors and turnover intentions [ 18 , 19 ]. Turnover intentions reflect workers’ intentions to stay or leave an organization [ 20 ], and it is becoming a major global concern, as it could lead to a shortfall in the care workforce in the near future [ 14 , 21 ]. Most of the member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will need additional LTC workers by 2040, with South Korea requiring the most.…”

‘You’re out on a limb, on your own’: Social care personal assistants’ (PAs’) reflections on working in the Covid-19 pandemic ‐ implications for wider health and care services

“…Furthermore, it exposed the importance of PAs as a group who need to be included in infection control and disaster planning. In England, risks to social care were realised late, with the National Health Service (NHS) being prioritised over community settings [ 14 – 16 ]. Against this background, PAs were not generally mentioned in national policies.…”

“…The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted existing tensions around the regulation and monitoring of PAs, for example, risks of harm, exploitation or abuse of both PAs and employers [12][13][14]. Furthermore, it exposed the importance of PAs as a group who need to be included in infection control and disaster planning.…”