How Health Affects Productivity

Bevan, Stephen; Cooper, Cary L.

doi:10.1108/978-1-83867-499-120211002

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…MacEachen & Ekberg [12] have argued that instead, we should prioritize decently paid and sustainable employment. In this study, we examine microlevel productivity using the disposition of how health affects productivity by Bevan & Cooper [13]. In their model of three dimensions of health and productivity our interest in this study was the task performance de nition, especially how employees' ability to work and measures to enable or improve it affects the output side of the productivity equation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Individual Task Performance and Productivity: An Ethnographic Observational Study of Supported Employment Among Social Services Clients in Finland

Juvonen-Posti,

Vuorento

2024

Preprint

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Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the various aspects of employees' work environment, including their job characteristics; the level of support provided by supervisors, job coaches and coworkers; and their perceptions of job performance and productivity from the perspectives of both employees and supervisors in the context of sustainable employability in supported employment interventions. This study was part of the Finnish Work Ability Programme Evaluation Study (2020–2024). Methods: This study is theoretically informed by the concepts of specific work ability and sustainable employability, as well as how health affects productivity at the task level—approach. The research is based on qualitative data obtained through ethnographic fieldwork, nonparticipating observing with interaction at work, which includes observing employed individuals in their workplaces. Additionally, we recoded discussions, took photos at work, and conducted interviews with supervisors and job coaches. Results: The main findings were that persons with disability or decreased work ability were employed in precarious low-productivity work, with limited opportunities for more sustainable employment. Several means from public employment services to decrease the employer's personnel costs were used. The supervisors appeared to have a strong grasp of each employee's task-specific productivity level. Supervisors had to adapt their usual tasks to provide extra support for employees, often focusing more on work performance. The role of coworkers and the work community as whole was also important. The personal support of job coaches during the employment phase was crucial, but their role in the workplace was unclear, especially to employers. Conclusions: To strengthen sustainable careers, the matching of jobs and individuals should be promoted through closer and productivity-oriented cooperation with employers and work communities in vocational rehabilitation and re-employment. The chosen qualitative research strategy, ethnographic fieldwork at work and multiperspective data collection provided new interpretations of the possibilities for sustainable employability using the Supported Employment method. From the perspectives of both enabling prolonged working careers for employees and providing a clear understanding of task-performance-based productivity to employers, there is a need for more microlevel data on what happens in work and workplaces, particularly the social mechanisms through which results are achieved.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Individual Task Performance and Productivity: An Ethnographic Observational Study of Supported Employment Among Social Services Clients in Finland

Juvonen-Posti,

Vuorento

2024

Preprint

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“…Without a doubt has the COVID-19 pandemic propelled employee health to the forefront and the OH profession into the spotlight. 25 Company physicians have become lead experts in the consultation of corporate policies and strategies with direct access to the executive level. At the same time, existing health issues and their underlying factors were laid bare and their impact significantly increased, for example, the mental and physical costs of isolation and loneliness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time, existing health issues and their underlying factors were laid bare and their impact significantly increased, for example, the mental and physical costs of isolation and loneliness. 25 On top of that, working arrangements and environments have changed significantly with the rapid advent of virtual and flexible working. While the predictions vary, it is widely agreed that flexible working will be a key feature of the working world in the future.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…What does the advent of new health challenges and working life as well as the evolution of the healthy workplace concept mean for the OSH professional? Bevan and Cooper 25 maintain that OH doctors and nurses have come out of the shadows during the pandemic. Their specialist knowledge is very much needed, for example, risk assessment and prevention, as is their biopsychosocial approach to workplace wellbeing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their specialist knowledge is very much needed, for example, risk assessment and prevention, as is their biopsychosocial approach to workplace wellbeing. Bevan and Cooper 25 go on to demand more opportunities for the OH professional to give advice to the CEO and have input on business strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Evolution from Occupational Health to Healthy Workplaces

Kirsten¹

2022

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

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Occupational health has evolved as a field over the last 20 years, most significantly over the last 2 years. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the amount and complexity of challenges for occupational health professionals and at the same time provided a unique opportunity for the field in light of the heightened focus on health at the workplace. Responsibilities have become broader and more multi-faceted including areas such as mental wellbeing and psychosocial risk factors. The pandemic has shown us that the workplace is an essential setting to promote health with a growing number of employers investing in policies and programs for their employees. However, many global health campaigns and large scale national initiatives do not include the workplace setting in their strategy to the detriment of the their effectiveness. In addition to the pressing global health needs, two recent developments have propelled workplace health to the forefront and are asking questions of employers. The Sustainable Development Goals as well as the ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) agenda on behalf of the financial sector are pushing the corporate sector to act responsibly beyond seeking profits and disclose related policies and actions. Healthy workplaces are essential for global development and progress.

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