News from July 2004

Stress and anger rising among public sector workers, study finds
(Jul. 28 '04)

Provincial and municipal employees across the country have gone from among the most contented workers to among the most angry and stressed because of budget cutbacks and the amalgamation of agencies, according to a new study by WarrenShepell Research Group. A Globe and Mail article by Wallace Immen summarizes the study, stating that: "What startled us is the speed of the change and that anger and depression so clearly stand out," says Karen Seward, vice-president of research for WarrenShepell Corp., a Toronto-based company that designs employee assistance programs for companies. Its report tracks trends in the use by provincial and municipal employees of the programs that arrange counselling and treatment. Since 2001, public service employees -- formerly among the least likely to seek help -- have become among the biggest customers for programs to manage anger, conflict, depression and health and relationship problems.

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Minority workers perceive greater benefits from healthy workplace initiatives
(Jul. 22 '04)

Minority employees realize the greatest improvements in their work environment when they participate in a team problem-solving program, reports a study in the July Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Having minority workers participate on problem-solving teams helps to create a more inclusionary work environment based on shared goals rather than demographics.

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Work, Stress and Health Findings Offer Practical Guidelines
(Jul. 11 '04)

A new publication "Work Stress & Health: the Whitehall II Study", was published on July 5 in the UK by the Council of Civil Service Unions (CCSU) in collaboration with the Cabinet Office. Stress in the workplace is identified in the publication as increasing ill health and the risk of disease, but job security, in addition to working with supportive colleagues and managers, reduces sickness absence and improves health. Very practical guides for workplace stress reduction flow from this research.

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Nurses' work hours affect patient safety
(Jul. 9 '04)

An article in the latest issue of Health Affairs (Vol 23, Issue 4, 2004, 202-212) examines the relationship between hospital nurses' work hours and patient safety. Work hours and shift schedules have a major impact on nurses' quality of work life. This article finds a link to patient safety, too.

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Longer work weeks and shorter vacations a new trend in Europe
(Jul. 7 '04)

The trend toward shorter work weeks and longer vacations in Europe may have run its course, according to a detailed analysis in the New York Times (July 6, 2004), by Mark Landler. In Germany and France, longer working time is a result of the pressures of slow productivity growth, competition from low-wage countries, and the failure of reduced work time to lower unemployment. Sweden, however, still is intent on pursing the 'leisure society' and is stuyding the effects of a 30 hour work week.

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BC Auditor General diagnoses sick workplaces in health care
(Jul. 2 '04)

The Office of the Auditor General of British Columbia published in June 2004 a review of the health of health care workplaces in the province. The report is entitled" In Sickness and in Health: Healthy Workplaces for British Columbia's Healthcare Workers. It recommends that health employers devote more attention to improving the physical, psychological and social health of their own employees. This report is a must-read for anyone interested in creating healthier workplaces. The full report can be downloaded from the BC Auditor General's website, by clicking on the title above.

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