When Unnecessary Tasks Weigh Heavily on the Back: A Diary Study on Musculoskeletal Pain

Abstract

Background: Auxiliary tasks such as administrative work often include tasks that are unnecessary in the view of workers but still have to be done. These tasks can threaten a worker’s self-esteem. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unnecessary and unreasonable tasks on musculoskeletal pain. Methods: Fifty-five office workers (29 male; mean age = 41.96, SD = 14.2 years) reported their unnecessary and unreasonable tasks at the beginning of the study and kept a diary of their daily musculoskeletal pain over 5 weeks, using a visual analogue scale. Other work-related risk factors (prolonged sitting), job resources (participation in decision-making), and individual risk factors (sex, smoking, exercise, body mass index, maladaptive back beliefs) were controlled for in multilevel regression analysis. Findings: Multilevel regression analysis with 742 reports showed unnecessary tasks ( B = 4.27, p = .006)—but not unreasonable tasks ( B = 3.05, p = .074)—to predict the daily intensity of musculoskeletal pain, beyond other significant risk factors, such as prolonged sitting ( B = 2.06, p = .039), body mass index ( B = 1.52, p < .001), and maladaptive back beliefs ( B = 3.78, p = .003). Participation in decision-making was not a significant protective factor ( B = −1.67, p = .176). Conclusions/Application to Practice: The higher frequency of unnecessary tasks—compared with unreasonable tasks—could place workers at risk for musculoskeletal pain. Work redesign that reduces unnecessary and unreasonable tasks can make a valuable contribution to worker health and safety among office workers.

When Illegitimate Tasks Threaten Patient Safety Culture: A Cross-Sectional Survey in a Tertiary Hospital

“…To obtain significant results with these variables controlled suggests a unique role for illegitimate tasks, and the outcome variable of patient safety culture is undoubtedly an important one. Ultimately, the perception of illegitimate tasks can also impact the health of staff, with effects such as increased stress [ 38 ], increased feelings of resentment, exhaustion and burnout [ 1 , 4 , 5 ], poor sleep quality [ 61 ], and musculoskeletal pain [ 62 ].…”