Syftet med studien var att undersöka (1) relationen mellan chefers upplevda stress och kontroll och medarbetares arbetstillfredsställelse med chefen, (2) relationen mellan chefers upplevda stress och kontroll samt, (3) medarbetares arbetstillfredsställelse med chefen relaterat till angivna demografiska parametrar. 25 chefer besvarade en webbenkät om arbetsrelaterad stress och kontroll och 206 av deras medarbetare besvarade en webbenkät om arbetstillfredsställelse med sin chef. Resultaten visade ett samband mellan medarbetarnas arbetstillfredsställelse med chefen och chefens yrkesroll (delmått i stressinstrumentet) samt att medarbetarnas arbetstillfredsställelse påverkades av deras anställningstid och utbildningsnivå. Vidare visade resultaten att cheferna upplevde en högre grad av arbetsrelaterad stress än kontroll. Dessa resultat indikerar att chefer med en tydligt definierad yrkesroll har mer arbetstillfredställda medarbetare samt, och i linje med tidigare forskning, att medarbetarnas anställningstid och utbildningsnivå har betydelse för arbetstillfredsställelsen med chefen.

Es va determinar el risc d'asma i la seva associació amb les exposicions laborals, així com la càrrega d'asma relacionat amb el treball, entre professionals sanitaris. Després de validar un qüestionari nou, es va administrar una enquesta a 5600 metges, infermers, i tècnics en teràpia respiratòria i ocupacional a Texas (tasa de resposta-66%). S'evidencia un risc elevat d'asma desprès d'haver començat a treballar per tasques de neteja general, desinfecció d'instruments mèdics, l'ús de guants de làtex i l'administració de medicaments en aerosol. També s'evidencien associacions significatives entre símptomes de hiperreactivitat bronquial i l'ús de productes generals de neteja, l'administració de medicaments en aerosol, l'aplicació de productes adhesius/dissolvents, i en persones amb antecedents d'exposició a un vessament químic. El risc per làtex desaparegué desprès de l'any 2000. Les exposicions laborals contribueixen de manera important a l'asma en el personal sanitari, justificant tant la implementació de controls adequats com la recerca addicional. / The magnitude of asthma risk, its associations with occupational exposures, and the burden of work-related asthma was estimated in healthcare professionals. After validating a new asthma questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5600 Texas physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and occupational therapists (response rate, 66%). Elevated risks of asthma after entry into the profession were found for general cleaning tasks, medical instrument cleaning, use of powdered latex gloves, and administration of aerosolized medications. Significant associations were also found between bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms and use of general cleaning products, administration of aerosolized medications, use of adhesives or solvents as products in patient care, and with a history of acute exposure to a chemical spill. The risk associated with latex disappeared after the year 2000. Occupational exposures contribute importantly to asthma among healthcare professionals and are not trivial, meriting both further study and implementation of appropriate controls.

Bakgrund : Felaktiga arbetsställningar utgör ett dominerande arbetsmiljöproblem inom frisöryrket. Ett stort problem är också kemiska preparat som orsakar hudirritation och handeksem. Frisörer arbetskadeanmäler oftare belastningsskador och uppger oftare hudöverkänslighet än personer i andra branscher. Syfte : Syftet med studien var att beskriva i vilken utsträckning som ergonomiska besvär och hudbesvär förekommer på frisörsalonger i Gävleborgs län och om förebyggande åtgärder vidtas för dessa besvär. Metod : Detta är en retrospektiv tvärsnittsstudie med kvantitativ ansats med deskriptiv dataanalys. En webbenkät har skickats ut till 87 frisörer i Gävleborgs län, 50 personer har deltagit. Resultat : Resultatet visade att 36 av 50 personer uppgav att de hade ergonomiska besvär, främst från axlar/skuldror och nacke vilket förekom hos 25 personer. På de flesta salonger uppgavs att det fanns hjälpmedel för att förebygga besvär från nacke, axlar, skuldror, rygg och nedre extremiteter. De flesta uppgav att de använde de hjälpmedel som fanns och utövade fysisk aktivitet för att förebygga sina besvär på egen hand. En övervägande del svarade att inga hjälpmedel fanns på arbetet för att förebygga ergonomiska besvär från övre extremiteter. De flesta uppgav att de inte gjorde något på egen hand för att förebygga besvär från övre extremiteter. Det var 14 av 50 frisörer som uppgav att de hade hudbesvär på händerna. Handskar uppgavs som det främst förekommande hjälpmedlet på arbetet och de flesta uppgav att de använde dessa. Handkräm uppgavs som främst förekommande för egenvård. Slutsats : Ungefär tre fjärdedelar av frisörerna i Gävleborgs län uppgav att de hade ergonomiska besvär. Nästan en tredjedel av frisörerna uppgav att de hade hudbesvär på händerna. De allra flesta uppgav att de använde befintliga hjälpmedel och förebyggde både ergonomiska besvär och hudbesvär. Nyckelord: Arbetsrelaterade besvär, ergonomiska besvär, frisör, förebyggande, hjälpmedel, hudbesvär. / Introduction: Incorrect posture is a dominant health problem in the hairdressing profession. A significant problem is also chemicals that cause skin irritation and hand eczema. Hairdressers report musculoskeletal and skin sensitization more frequently than people in other professions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which ergonomic problems and skin problems occur in hairdressing salons in Gävleborg, and if preventive measures are taken for these problems. Method: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study with quantitative data with descriptive data analysis. A web survey was sent out to 87 salons in Gävleborg, 50 people took part in the study. Results: The results showed that 36 of 50 people said they had ergonomic problems, mainly from the shoulders and neck which were reported by 25 people. Most salons had aid tools to prevent problems from neck, shoulders, back and from lower extremities. The majority of the hairdressers use the aid tools, mainly sadel chairs. The hairdressers practiced physical activity to prevent ergonomic problems. The majority responded that no aid tools were available at work to prevent ergonomic disorders of upper extremities. Most said they did not do anything on their own to prevent symptoms from upper limbs. There were 14 of 50 hairdressers who reported having skin problems on their hands. Gloves were the main aid available at work and hand cream mainly occurring in self-care. Conclusion: Approximately three-quarters of the hairdressers in Gävleborg had ergonomic problems. One third of the hairdressers had skin problems on their hands. The vast majority used the provided aid tools and prevented both the ergonomic problems and skin problems. Keywords: Aid tools, ergonomic problems, hairdresser, prevention, skin problems, work-related problems

Šiame magistriniame darbe išanalizuota įvairių Lietuvos ir užsienio autorių organizacinio klimato ir darbinio streso teorinės sąsajos, bei atlikti tyrimai dvejose statutinėse organizacijose. Tyrimui atlikti buvo pasitelkta du standartizuoti testai: prof. G. Merkio mokslinės grupės sukurtas „Organizacijos klimato krizės“ ir Lietuvoje iki šiol nenaudotas „Darbinio streso“ testas, kurie atskleidė Pataisos namų X ir Tardymo izoliatoriaus Y darbinio streso ir organizacinio klimato būklę. Pateikiamos išvados, diskusijos ir literatūros sąrašas. Išanalizavus tyrimo duomenis, dalinai pasitvirtimo magistriniame darbe iškelta hipotez�� - „Laivės atėmimo įstaigose susiklostęs organizacinis klimatas yra nepalankus, aukštas darbuotojų patiriamas streso lygis, todėl reikalauja vadybinės intervencijos“. Norint tiksliai išanalizuoti organizacinį klimatą bei darbinio streso priežastis, rekomenduotina atlikti kokybinio testo analizę. / In this master degree work there is analyzed the theoretical connection between organizational climate and working stress, and done research in two statutional organizations. Two standardized tests were used for making a research: „Crysis of Organizational Climate“ founded by prof. G.Merkys scientific group and test of „Working Stress“ which was not used in Lithuania up to now. These tests have showed the condition of working stress and organizational climate in Penitentiary X and Interrogation Facility Y. At the end of the work conclusions, discussions and list of literature are presented. Data analysis has showed that hypotesis – „ Organizational climate in the imprisonment institutions is unfavourable, the level of stress experienced by employees is high, therefore managerial intervention is necessary“- formulated in this master degree work was confirmed partially. In order to make a precise analysis of causes of organizational climate and working stress it is recommended to do analysis of quality test.

Background: RTW after work-related injuries is a multifactorial process. Factors affecting clinicians to make RTW-recommendations for patients with WRSEI have not been studied in the literature. Purpose: We investigated the associations between group of factors chosen from different domains (Personal/Environmental) and clinicians’ RTW-recommendations for patients with WRSEI. Methods: Study design was cross-sectional. Data were collected from self-reported surveys and clinical charts of 130 adult workers (not working at the time of visit and referred to WSIB-Shoulder & Elbow Specialty Clinic-Toronto) with chronic (≥6-months) injuries. Results: Population mean age was 43.5-years. 52% were female. The average time-since-injury was 20.4-months (45%>12-months). 70% received RTW-recommendations (regular/modified-job). 30% received a No-RTW-recommendation. 42% had education≥college-level. 18% had heavy (>20kg) job-demands. Higher MCS-scores had a significant association (p=0.0003) with clinicians’ RTW-recommendations. Conclusion: In patients with chronic WRSEI(s), poor general health-status and high disability, workers with better mental-health were more likely to receive a RTW-recommendation by clinicians.

Background: RTW after work-related injuries is a multifactorial process. Factors affecting clinicians to make RTW-recommendations for patients with WRSEI have not been studied in the literature. Purpose: We investigated the associations between group of factors chosen from different domains (Personal/Environmental) and clinicians’ RTW-recommendations for patients with WRSEI. Methods: Study design was cross-sectional. Data were collected from self-reported surveys and clinical charts of 130 adult workers (not working at the time of visit and referred to WSIB-Shoulder & Elbow Specialty Clinic-Toronto) with chronic (≥6-months) injuries. Results: Population mean age was 43.5-years. 52% were female. The average time-since-injury was 20.4-months (45%>12-months). 70% received RTW-recommendations (regular/modified-job). 30% received a No-RTW-recommendation. 42% had education≥college-level. 18% had heavy (>20kg) job-demands. Higher MCS-scores had a significant association (p=0.0003) with clinicians’ RTW-recommendations. Conclusion: In patients with chronic WRSEI(s), poor general health-status and high disability, workers with better mental-health were more likely to receive a RTW-recommendation by clinicians.

The aims of the thesis were (i) to investigate the impact of repetitive low-intensity work exposure on proprioception and (ii) to examine effects of muscle stretching (especially sensory effects and effects on muscle nociception) and to relate its application to the prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of work-related neuromuscular disorders. The effects of low-intensity repetitive work on the shoulder proprioception were tested in healthy subjects. The effect of working time on the retention of subjective fatigue and their relation to changes in proprioception, and the immediate effect of stretching on shoulder proprioception were investigated. A new method to test the stretchability of the rectus femoris muscle was investigated for reliability and validity and used to assess the effects of a two-week stretching regimen on range of motion and on subjective stretch sensation. Finally, the interactions between innocuous muscle stretch and nociceptive chemical stimulation on discharge behavior of nociceptive dorsal horn neurons in the feline spinal cord were explored. The main findings were as follows: 1) The repetitive low-intensity work to fatigue diminished the shoulder proprioception; the working time as well as the retention of subjective fatigue were partly related to the extent of changed proprioception. 2) There was no effect of acute muscle stretching on the proprioception. 3) The new method for testing muscle stretchability proved valid and reliable. A two-week stretching regimen increased the tolerance to stretch torque, but the range of motion remained unchanged. 4) Half of the nociceptive dorsal horn neurons that responded to close arterial injections of bradykinin were modulated by muscle stretching applied directly after the injections. Altogether, the results give credence to the hypothesis of an involvement of sensory information distortion due to repetitive low-intensity work exposure in the development of work-related neuromuscular disorders. Increased tolerance to stretch torque may be an important mechanism in explaining improvements following stretch treatment. The spinal interactions between innocuous stretch and nociceptive muscle afferent inputs indicate a possible mechanism involved in stretching-induced pain alleviation.

Background: The high levels of sickness absence and disability pensioning experienced during the 1990's and 2000's have become both socially as well as financially burdensome for society. Sickness absence implies a costly loss of production for society and large groups of individuals are risking to become marginalised on the labour market. Sickness absence is both a public health and an economic problem. Thus from both a human approach as well as from an economic perspective it is urgent to increase knowledge about what influences individual behaviour when it comes to sickness absence and return to work. Objectives: The overall aim of the thesis is to elucidate the decisive factors for explaining sickness absence. Three different aspects of sickness absence were considered, i.e. factors leading to sickness absence, factors preventing sickness absence and factors leading back to work ability and work when being sickness absent. This is done using a frame of reference involving broadly defined areas of work, health and social insurance related factors. Material and methods: Study I analyzes the outcome of unemployed sick-listed individuals. A total of 280 individuals from the county of Värmland were followed through register data between the years 2000 to 2001. Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the occurrence of short and long term economic incentives. Study II has a longitudinal design and explores determinants of return to work. Sick-listed individuals with a stress-related psychiatric diagnosis from the county of Värmland were analyzed over a period of three years (2000-2003) using logistic regression. The data comprised 911 individuals. Study III is a cross-sectional study using questionnaire data from the county of Värmland from year 2004. A total of 3123 persons either working or being self employed were analyzed on determinants of work presence through logistic regression. Study IV had a cross-sectional design and used questionnaire data from five counties in central Sweden. The data, from 2004, comprised 10536 individuals being employed, i.e. not self-employed, and with self reported physical and mental medical conditions. Logistic regression was mainly used in the analysis and the focus was on risk factors for long term sickness absence. Study V comprises cross-sectional data retrieved at three separate occasions between 1991 and 1994. It includes 8839 individuals from five counties in western Sweden with sickness absence spells over 60 days. The data was analysed through bi-variate probit regression with a focus on effects of vocational rehabilitation on return to work. Results: The results from study I were interpreted as that both short and long term economic incentives matter for the outcome of sickness absence through the interaction of different insurance systems. The principal findings from study II was that age, gender and factors implying less favourable health characteristics and thereby lower work capacity, reduce probabilities of returning to work after long term sickness absence. Considering study III determinants of work presence were found to vary between sexes and whether the determinants were counteracting long or short term sickness absence. Factors interpreted as job control counteracted short term absence. Sense of coherence was found to be an important determinant of work presence for women. In study IV long term sickness absence was found to be related to the level of ill-health. Moreover it was concluded that work environment factors as job strain, job satisfaction, physical work environment were important factors for explaining sickness absence in a population with impaired health. The results from study V indicated that vocational rehabilitation is a potentially effective instrument for improving the individual's work ability and chances of return to work. That no signs of prioritizing selection of rehabilitation participants to those likely to return to work with or without rehabilitation measures, i.e. "managerial creaming", were found was also considered as important results. Conclusions: This thesis shows that we need different models and approaches to improve knowledge about the various aspects of sickness absence as entry into absence, return to work or into disability retirement. It also has the implications that sickness absence behaviour can be influenced. Largely depending on what long term path is chosen for welfare policy at the political level it should be acknowledged that other means, improving working conditions and promoting rehabilitation rather than reducing benefit levels and narrowing the eligibility criteria for the insurance benefits are at hand.

Despite the facts that vehicle incidents continue to be the most common mechanism for Australian compensated fatalities and that employers have statutory obligations to provide safe workplaces, very few organisations are proactively and comprehensively managing their work-related road risks. Unfortunately, limited guidance is provided in the existing literature to assist practitioners in managing work-related road risks. The current research addresses this gap in the literature. To explore how work-related road safety can be enhanced, three studies were conducted. Study one explored the effectiveness of a range of risk management initiatives and whether comprehensive risk management practices were associated with safety outcomes. Study two explored barriers to, and facilitators for, accepting risk management initiatives. Study three explored the influence of organisational factors on road safety outcomes to identify optimal work environments for managing road risks. To maximise the research sample and increase generalisability, the studies were designed to allow data collection to be conducted simultaneously drawing upon the same sample obtained from four Australian organisations. Data was collected via four methods. A structured document review of published articles was conducted to identify what outcomes have been observed in previously investigated work-related road safety initiatives. The documents reviewed collectively assessed the effectiveness of 19 work-related road safety initiatives. Audits of organisational practices and process operating within the four researched organisations were conducted to identify whether organisations with comprehensive work-related road risk management practices and processes have better safety outcomes than organisations with limited risk management practices and processes. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 24 participants, comprising 16 employees and eight managers. The interviews were conducted to identify what barriers and facilitators within organisations are involved in implementing work-related road safety initiatives and whether differences in fleet safety climate, stage of change and safety ownership relate to work-related road safety outcomes. Finally, questionnaires were administered to a sample of 679 participants. The questionnaires were conducted to identify which initiatives are perceived by employees to be effective in managing work-related road risks and whether differences in fleet safety climate, stage of change and safety ownership relate to work-related road safety outcomes. Seven research questions were addressed in the current research project. The key findings with respect to each of the research questions are presented below. Research question one: What outcomes have been observed in previously investigated work-related road safety initiatives? The structured document review indicated that initiatives found to be positively associated with occupational road safety both during and after the intervention period included: a pay rise; driver training; group discussions; enlisting employees as community road safety change agents; safety reminders; and group and individual rewards. Research question two: Which initiatives are perceived by employees to be effective in managing work-related road risks? Questionnaire findings revealed that employees believed occupational road risks could best be managed through making vehicle safety features standard, providing practical driver skills training and through investigating serious vehicle incidents. In comparison, employees believed initiatives including signing a promise card commitment to drive safely, advertising the organisation’s phone number on vehicles and consideration of driving competency in staff selection process would have limited effectiveness in managing occupational road safety. Research question three: Do organisations with comprehensive work-related road risk management practices and processes have better safety outcomes than organisations with limited risk management practices and processes? The audit identified a difference among the organisations in their management of work-related road risks. Comprehensive risk management practices were associated with employees engaging in overall safer driving behaviours, committing less driving errors, and experiencing less fatigue and distraction issues when driving. Given that only four organisations participated in this research, these findings should only be considered as preliminary. Further research should be conducted to explore the relationship between comprehensiveness of risk management practices and road safety outcomes with a larger sample of organisations. Research question four: What barriers and facilitators within organisations are involved in implementing work-related road safety initiatives? The interviews identified that employees perceived six organisational characteristics as potential barriers to implementing work-related road safety initiatives. These included: prioritisation of production over safety; complacency towards work-related road risks; insufficient resources; diversity; limited employee input in safety decisions; and a perception that road safety initiatives were an unnecessary burden. In comparison, employees perceived three organisational characteristics as potential facilitators to implementing work-related road safety initiatives. These included: management commitment; the presence of existing systems that could support the implementation of initiatives; and supportive relationships. Research question five: Do differences in fleet safety climate relate to work-related road safety outcomes? The interviews and questionnaires identified that organisational climates with high management commitment, support for managing work demands, appropriate safety rules and safety communication were associated with employees who engaged in safer driving behaviours. Regression analyses indicated that as participants’ perceptions of safety climate increased, the corresponding likelihood of them engaging in safer driving behaviours increased. Fleet safety climate was perceived to influence road safety outcomes through several avenues. Some of these included: the allocation of sufficient resources to manage occupational road risks; fostering a supportive environment of mutual responsibility; resolving safety issues openly and fairly; clearly communicating to employees that safety is the top priority; and developing appropriate work-related road safety policies and procedures. Research question six: Do differences in stage of change relate to work-related road safety outcomes? The interviews and questionnaires identified that participants’ perceptions of initiative effectiveness were found to vary with respect to their individual stage of readiness, with stage-matched initiatives being perceived most effective. In regards to safety outcomes, regression analyses identified that as participants’ progress through the stages of change, the corresponding likelihood of them being involved in vehicle crashes decreases. Research question seven: Do differences in safety ownership relate to work-related road safety outcomes? The interviews and questionnaires revealed that management of road risks is often given less attention than other areas of health and safety management in organisations. In regards to safety outcomes, regression analyses identified that perceived authority and perceived shared ownership both emerged as significant independent predictors of self-reported driving behaviours pertaining to fatigue and distractions. The regression models indicated that as participants’ perceptions of the authority of the person managing road risks increases, and perceptions of shared ownership of safety tasks increases, the corresponding likelihood of them engaging in driving while fatigued or multitasking while driving decreases. Based on the findings from the current research, the author makes several recommendations to assist practitioners in developing proactive and comprehensive approaches to managing occupational road risks. The author also suggests several avenues for future research in the area of work-related road safety.

Bakgrund: I och med utvecklingen av informations- och kommunikationsteknik har gränserna för var och när arbetet kan utföras suddats ut. Arbetet har med andra ord blivit gränslöst. Även om det möjliggör flexibilitet över arbetstiderna, valfrihet gällande platsen för var arbetet kan utföras samt en ökad kontroll över arbetet kan det också leda till överbelastning och arbetsrelaterad stress, som i sin tur kan ha en negativ inverkan på arbetslivsbalansen och därmed välbefinnandet. Det kan i förlängningen även påverka organisationen negativt då det kan yttra sig genom minskad produktivitet, sjukfrånvaro och personalomsättning, vilket är förenat med ökade kostnader. Som lärare inom akademin finns långtgående möjligheter att förlänga arbetsplatsens tid och rum till följd av utbredningen av informations- och kommunikationsteknik, varpå den här studien behandlar högskolelärares upplevelser av det gränslösa arbetet och hur det kan inverka på hälsan. Syfte: Syftet med föreliggande studie är att undersöka högskolelärares upplevelser av det gränslösa arbetet inom akademin för att öka förståelsen för hur det gränslösa arbetet kan inverka på hälsan och därmed öka förståelsen för på vilket sätt det kan vara en friskfaktor eller riskfaktor. Metod: Då föreliggande studie syftade till att fånga enskilda individers upplevelser, tankar och beskrivningar avseende deras arbetssituation i det gränslösa arbetet på ett nyanserat sätt, valdes en kvalitativ metod. Insamlingen av empirisk data gjordes genom tio individuella semistrukturerade intervjuer på en högskola i Sverige. Slutsatser: Studiens resultat påvisar att det sociala stödet är viktigt i ett gränslöst arbete och kan bland annat bidra till att stressfyllda perioder upplevs som mindre krävande. Att ständigt vara tillgänglig kan däremot påverka hälsan negativt i och med den upplevda stressen som följer med tillgängligheten via e-post. Vidare tyder resultatet på att egenkontroll och frihet i arbetet både kan vara en risk- och friskfaktor beroende på hur gränsdragningar gentemot det övriga livet sker, vilket kan bero på individens egna krav och karriärutsikter, liksom glädjen till sitt arbete. Det innebär att den individuella gränsdragningsförmågan blir fundamental i ett gränslöst arbete. / Background: Due to the development of the information and communication technology the boundaries of where and when to carry out your work have faded. In other words, the work has become boundless. Although this allows for flexibility over working hours, place of work and increased control over your work it can also lead to overload and work related stress, which can have a negative impact on work life balance and therefore health. Also, in the long run it can adversely affect the organization as it can lead to reduced productivity, sickness absence and staff turnover, which is associated with greater costs. As a teacher at the academy there are far reaching opportunities to extend the workplace’s hours and location due to the prevalence of information and communication technology, where this study examines the experiences university lecturers have of the boundless work and its impact on health. Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate university teachers' experiences of the boundless work within the academy to increase understanding of how boundless work can affect health and thereby increasing understanding of how it may be a health factor or risk factor. Method: As the present study aimed at capturing individual peoples’ experiences, thoughts and descriptions regarding their work situation with boundless work in a nuanced manner, a qualitative method was chosen. The gathering of empirical data was done through ten individual semi- structured interviews at a university in Sweden. Conclusion: The study's results indicate that social support is important in boundless work and can, among other things, help stressful periods to be perceived as less demanding. Continuously being available, however, can affect health negatively, with the perceived stress that comes with availability via email. Furthermore, the result suggests that self-control and freedom at work can be both a risk and a healthy factor depending on how boundaries occur to the rest of life, which may depend on the individual's own requirements and career prospects, as well as the joy of his work. This means that the individual’s ability to create boundaries between work and private life is fundamental in a boundless work.