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Several individual factors like older age and chronic diseases have been linked with more severe symptoms often leading to hospitalization and higher mortality from COVID-19. Part of adults with such factors is still active in the workforce. The objective of the study was to identify measures taken by the employer to protect them and to investigate reasons for low protection of vulnerable workers during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers from 1000 workers collected via web-survey and results from 10 focus group discussions were analyzed. Only 31.5% of respondents mentioned that their employer had identified existing vulnerable groups and offered specific measures to protect them. Moving vulnerable workers away from the workplace was the most frequent measure (e.g., transfer to the back-office without contact with clients, telework, paid vacations, paid downtime). Most employers do not see elderly workers and workers with chronic diseases as risk groups, thus are not specifically protecting them. Instead, several employers have included workers critical for business continuity in their risk group. Others had not taken measures because of the lack of information due to general data protection regulation. Poor communication and lack of interest of employers to ask their workers if they need special protection is the topic to be addressed at the national level.
Linda Matisāne; Linda Paegle; Maija Eglīte; Lāsma Akūlova; Asnate Linde; Ivars Vanadziņš; Iveta Mietule; Jeļena Lonska; Lienīte Litavniece; Iluta Arbidāne; Sarmīte Rozentāle; Ieva Grīntāle. Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5188 .
AMA StyleLinda Matisāne, Linda Paegle, Maija Eglīte, Lāsma Akūlova, Asnate Linde, Ivars Vanadziņš, Iveta Mietule, Jeļena Lonska, Lienīte Litavniece, Iluta Arbidāne, Sarmīte Rozentāle, Ieva Grīntāle. Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (10):5188.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLinda Matisāne; Linda Paegle; Maija Eglīte; Lāsma Akūlova; Asnate Linde; Ivars Vanadziņš; Iveta Mietule; Jeļena Lonska; Lienīte Litavniece; Iluta Arbidāne; Sarmīte Rozentāle; Ieva Grīntāle. 2021. "Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 10: 5188.
Sickness absence is one of the most important working population health indicators. It is a complex phenomenon that is investigated by health care and occupational health specialists, economists, and work psychologists. Sickness absence is used as a predictor for morbidity and mortality, but besides the health status of an individual, sickness absence is influenced by demographic, socio-economic factors, and work environment factors. Conflicts at work are a common psychosocial risk factor that can affect sickness absence. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between different types of workplace conflict and self-reported medically certified sickness absence using cross-sectional survey data pooled from four periodic national surveys—Work conditions and risks in Latvia (2006–2018). The sample is representative of the working population of Latvia, as respondents were randomly drawn from different regions and industries. In total, the study sample (n = 8557) consisted of employees between 16 and 80 years old (average 42.8 +/− 12.6) of which 46.2% were males and 53.8% were females. Researchers used the computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) method for collecting data. The association between workplace conflicts and sickness absence was analysed by using binomial logistic regression and calculated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), with adjustment for gender, age, education and survey year. The risk of sickness absence was higher among women (OR = 1.24, CI 1.13–1.35), employees aged 25–44 years old and employees with higher income. Controlling for socio-demographic factors and survey year, the odds of sickness absence increased significantly for all types of workplace conflict analysed. The strongest association with sickness absence was related to conflicts between managers and employees (OR = 1.51, CI 1.37–1.66) and conflicts between groups of employees (OR = 1.45, CI 1.31–1.61). Conflicts between employees and with customers also increased the odds of sickness absence (OR = 1.39, CI 1.27–1.52 and OR = 1.11, CI 1.01–1.23, respectively). Our findings suggest that tailored interventions at a company level for reducing workplace conflicts as risk factors of sickness absence are required. Those should focus on the improvement of managers’ leadership and human resource management skills.
Svetlana Lakiša; Linda Matisāne; Inese Gobiņa; Ivars Vanadziņš; Lāsma Akūlova; Maija Eglīte; Linda Paegle. Impact of Workplace Conflicts on Self-Reported Medically Certified Sickness Absence in Latvia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 1193 .
AMA StyleSvetlana Lakiša, Linda Matisāne, Inese Gobiņa, Ivars Vanadziņš, Lāsma Akūlova, Maija Eglīte, Linda Paegle. Impact of Workplace Conflicts on Self-Reported Medically Certified Sickness Absence in Latvia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (3):1193.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSvetlana Lakiša; Linda Matisāne; Inese Gobiņa; Ivars Vanadziņš; Lāsma Akūlova; Maija Eglīte; Linda Paegle. 2021. "Impact of Workplace Conflicts on Self-Reported Medically Certified Sickness Absence in Latvia." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 3: 1193.
M. Eglite; Ivars Vanadziņš; Linda Matisane; M.A. Bake; D. Sprudza; Žanna Martinsone; I. Kalve; Jeļena Reste; J. Cirule; A. Seile; M. Fujikawa; M. Nishigaki; M. Yoshizawa; K. Furusawa; S. Tsujii. Assessment of occupational health and safety system in latvia. International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering 2012, 2, 1 .
AMA StyleM. Eglite, Ivars Vanadziņš, Linda Matisane, M.A. Bake, D. Sprudza, Žanna Martinsone, I. Kalve, Jeļena Reste, J. Cirule, A. Seile, M. Fujikawa, M. Nishigaki, M. Yoshizawa, K. Furusawa, S. Tsujii. Assessment of occupational health and safety system in latvia. International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering. 2012; 2 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Eglite; Ivars Vanadziņš; Linda Matisane; M.A. Bake; D. Sprudza; Žanna Martinsone; I. Kalve; Jeļena Reste; J. Cirule; A. Seile; M. Fujikawa; M. Nishigaki; M. Yoshizawa; K. Furusawa; S. Tsujii. 2012. "Assessment of occupational health and safety system in latvia." International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering 2, no. 4: 1.
M E Eglite; E D Reste; I A Vanadzin'sh; I G Tsirule; Linda Matisane; M Ia Bake; D R Sprudzha; Inese Martinsone; S O Grinberga. [Evaluation of professional training of occupational medical personnel in Latvia]. Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology 2012, 1 .
AMA StyleM E Eglite, E D Reste, I A Vanadzin'sh, I G Tsirule, Linda Matisane, M Ia Bake, D R Sprudzha, Inese Martinsone, S O Grinberga. [Evaluation of professional training of occupational medical personnel in Latvia]. Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology. 2012; (3):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM E Eglite; E D Reste; I A Vanadzin'sh; I G Tsirule; Linda Matisane; M Ia Bake; D R Sprudzha; Inese Martinsone; S O Grinberga. 2012. "[Evaluation of professional training of occupational medical personnel in Latvia]." Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology , no. 3: 1.
The aim of study was to analyse work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia during a 15-year period for recommendations to employment...
M. Eglite; Ivars Vanadziņš; Linda Matisane; M. A. Bake; D. Sprudza; Žanna Martinsone; Jeļena Reste; J. Cirule; A. Seile. Work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND BIOMEDICINE 2011 2011, 1 .
AMA StyleM. Eglite, Ivars Vanadziņš, Linda Matisane, M. A. Bake, D. Sprudza, Žanna Martinsone, Jeļena Reste, J. Cirule, A. Seile. Work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND BIOMEDICINE 2011. 2011; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Eglite; Ivars Vanadziņš; Linda Matisane; M. A. Bake; D. Sprudza; Žanna Martinsone; Jeļena Reste; J. Cirule; A. Seile. 2011. "Work conditions and occupational morbidity in Latvia." ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND BIOMEDICINE 2011 , no. : 1.
Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia The objective of the study was to conduct a survey in the field of occupational health and safety the results of which could be used in rational and effective decision making for elaboration of employment and social policy programmes and for ensuring occupational safety and health programme development. During the study the following groups of people were surveyed: employers, occupational health and safety specialists, and employees. The traditional work risk factors (physical, chemical, biological) have changed to new risks (psychosocial, ergonomic, microclimatic) in Latvia today. The study included objective assessment of occupational health and safety situation (analysis of work environment risk factors measurement data bases, information on occupational diseases, workplace accidents). Results of measurements showed that one-third of measured risk factors values exceeded mandatory or recommended limits but situation has been improved during the last years (2002 compared to 2006). The results of surveys reveal insufficient assessment of risk factors in workplaces and selection of most hazardous ones only. Awareness and understanding of employers and employees regarding occupational health and safety requirements was dissatisfactory. The results of the study reveal a low level of workplace accidents compared to other countries within EU, which may be the result of poor registration system in Latvia. Strengthening of occupational safety and health normative basis and improvement of qualification of occupational physicians has increased the number of occupational diseases and patients revealed for the first time from 1996 to 2006. Early diagnose of occupational diseases and effective rehabilitation is an important question to favour a more rapid return of workforce after occupational morbidity. Study showed that attention should further be paid to simplification of legal requirements, development of alternative methods for informing and educating people, as well as recurrent definition of national indicators to assess efficacy of implemented measures related to occupational health and safety.
Dagmāra Sprūdža; Maija Eglīte; Mārīte Baķe; Žanna Martinsone; Linda Matisane; Inese Mārtiņsone; Anita Piķe; Ivars Vanadzins; Vija Klusa. Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia. Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences. 2010, 64, 10 -19.
AMA StyleDagmāra Sprūdža, Maija Eglīte, Mārīte Baķe, Žanna Martinsone, Linda Matisane, Inese Mārtiņsone, Anita Piķe, Ivars Vanadzins, Vija Klusa. Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia. Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.. 2010; 64 (1-2):10-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDagmāra Sprūdža; Maija Eglīte; Mārīte Baķe; Žanna Martinsone; Linda Matisane; Inese Mārtiņsone; Anita Piķe; Ivars Vanadzins; Vija Klusa. 2010. "Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia." Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences. 64, no. 1-2: 10-19.
A meta-analysis was made of studies addressing occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality.
Paolo Boffetta; Linda Matisane; Kenneth A Mundt; Linda D Dell. Meta-analysis of studies of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 2003, 29, 220 -229.
AMA StylePaolo Boffetta, Linda Matisane, Kenneth A Mundt, Linda D Dell. Meta-analysis of studies of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 2003; 29 (3):220-229.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaolo Boffetta; Linda Matisane; Kenneth A Mundt; Linda D Dell. 2003. "Meta-analysis of studies of occupational exposure to vinyl chloride in relation to cancer mortality." Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health 29, no. 3: 220-229.
T A Farbtukh; M E Eglite; Linda Matisane. [Occupational medicine in Latvia]. Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology 2002, 1 .
AMA StyleT A Farbtukh, M E Eglite, Linda Matisane. [Occupational medicine in Latvia]. Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology. 2002; (12):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT A Farbtukh; M E Eglite; Linda Matisane. 2002. "[Occupational medicine in Latvia]." Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology , no. 12: 1.