Effects of ethical climate in association with tenure on work addiction, quality of care and staff retention: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesWork addiction is not contingent on personality alone; it is also impacted by social contextual factors. Work addiction influences the perceived quality of care and intention to remain in healthcare sector. The current study seeks to understand the role of ethical climate as a potential organisational lever to reduce such addiction, especially among newcomers.DesignWe contacted a sample of Canadian healthcare organisations to collect quantitative data using an online questionnaire from November 2021 to February 2022. All constructs (ethical climate, work addiction, perceived quality of care, intention to quit the profession) were measured using validated psychometric scales. 860 respondents provided complete questionnaires. We analysed the data using structural equation modelling and regression analysis.ResultsWork addiction mediated the indirect relationship between ethical climate and the intention to quit the profession (β=−0.053; 95% CI (−0.083 to –0.029); p<0.001) and with quality of care (β=0.049; 95% CI (0.028, 0.077); p<0.001). For each increase of 1 SD of ethical climate, the total effects regarding the variations in the outcomes were more important at low rather than high levels of tenure for work addiction (−11%, −2%), perceived quality of care (23%, 11%) and intention to quit the profession (−30%, −23%), respectively.ConclusionEthical climate in healthcare organisations has a significant and beneficial relationship with healthcare workers’ (HCWs) work addiction behaviours. In turn, this relationship is related to greater perceived quality of care and higher intention to remain, especially for HCWs with lower tenure.

The cost of protecting resources: a cross-sectional study on the interaction between LMX and role ambiguity on work addiction and burnout among Canadian first-level healthcare managers

“…By attempting to diminish said guilt, managers may feel compelled to return to work, even if they lack the resources to do so. Furthermore, this uncontrollable need to work is especially meaningful in healthcare settings ( Maisonneuve et al, 2024 ), as first-level managers dedicate themselves to supporting both their team and patients ( Xie et al, 2023 ).…”

Work addiction and quality of care in healthcare: Working long hours should not be confused with addiction to work

“…The paper by Maisonneuve and colleagues 6 in this issue of BMJ Quality and Safety examined work addiction in the context of the ethical climate in a Canadian healthcare setting. Using an online survey, the authors examined constructs including ethical climate, work addiction and perceived quality of care using validated scales.…”