Le temps des coachs ?

Développé aux États-Unis dans les années 1980-1990, rapidement introduit en France, le coaching en entreprise suscite la constitution d’un segment professionnel en plein essor dans l’espace du conseil des années 2000. Dégager les conditions sociales et les raisons qui conduisent un ensemble d’acteurs à se tourner vers cette activité permet de montrer comment se consolide ce nouveau segment professionnel, au-delà de l’action des premiers militants engagés dans sa reconnaissance. Notre enquête dégage deux principales voies d’entrée pour devenir coach : la première comprend d’anciens consultants, formateurs ou psychologues à la trajectoire professionnelle « buissonnante » ; la seconde est le fait de cadres d’entreprise reconvertis après une rupture dans une carrière salariée auparavant linéaire. Le cas du coaching renseigne ainsi sur les affinités électives entre le « nouvel esprit du capitalisme » (Boltanski, Chiapello, 1999) et des trajectoires professionnelles qui soulignent l’attractivité contrainte des formes hybrides d’emploi.Born in the USA in the 1980s-90s, shortly after introduced in France, executive coaching led to the development of a new professional segment, which boomed in the consulting field in the 2000s. Identifying the social conditions and the reasons why a set of actors turn to this activity enables to show how this new professional segment strengthens, beyond the action of the first activists who devoted themselves to the promotion and recognition of this activity. Our inquiry shows two main paths to become a coach: coaching first attracts consulting and training experts, and psychologists, who want to unify the numerous activities they have led in their “bushy” professional career; and secondly, executives who turn to this practice as a new job after a professional breakdown that occurred in a pretty stable career. Studying coaching helps to understand better the elective affinities between the “new spirit of capitalism” (Boltanski, Chiapello, 1999) and professional careers which reveal the forced appeal of hybrid employment statuses that are growing in the grey area between salaried status and self-employment

Evaluation of animal control measures on pet demographics in Santa Clara County, California, 1993–2006

The measurable benefits of animal control programs are unknown and the aim of this study was to determine the impact of these programs on pet population changes. A prospective cross-sectional study of 1000 households was implemented in 2005 to evaluate characteristics of the owned and unowned population of dogs and cats in Santa Clara County, California. The same population was previously studied 12 years earlier. During this time period, the county instituted in 1994 and then subsequently disestablished a municipal spay/neuter voucher program for cats. Dog intakes declined from 1992–2005, as they similarly did for an adjacent county (San Mateo). However, cat intakes declined significantly more in Santa Clara County than San Mateo, with an average annual decline of approximately 700 cats for the 12 year period. Time series analysis showed a greater than expected decline in the number of cats surrendered to shelters in Santa Clara County during the years the voucher program was in effect (1994–2005). The net savings to the county by reducing the number of cat shelter intakes was estimated at approximately $1.5 million. The measurable benefits of animal control programs are unknown and the aim of this study was to determine the impact of these programs on pet population changes

Hospital admission and emergency care attendance risk for SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) compared with alpha (B.1.1.7) variants of concern: a cohort study

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant was first detected in England in March, 2021. It has since rapidly become the predominant lineage, owing to high transmissibility. It is suspected that the delta variant is associated with more severe disease than the previously dominant alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. We aimed to characterise the severity of the delta variant compared with the alpha variant by determining the relative risk of hospital attendance outcomes. Methods: This cohort study was done among all patients with COVID-19 in England between March 29 and May 23, 2021, who were identified as being infected with either the alpha or delta SARS-CoV-2 variant through whole-genome sequencing. Individual-level data on these patients were linked to routine health-care datasets on vaccination, emergency care attendance, hospital admission, and mortality (data from Public Health England's Second Generation Surveillance System and COVID-19-associated deaths dataset; the National Immunisation Management System; and NHS Digital Secondary Uses Services and Emergency Care Data Set). The risk for hospital admission and emergency care attendance were compared between patients with sequencing-confirmed delta and alpha variants for the whole cohort and by vaccination status subgroups. Stratified Cox regression was used to adjust for age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, recent international travel, area of residence, calendar week, and vaccination status. Findings: Individual-level data on 43 338 COVID-19-positive patients (8682 with the delta variant, 34 656 with the alpha variant; median age 31 years [IQR 17–43]) were included in our analysis. 196 (2·3%) patients with the delta variant versus 764 (2·2%) patients with the alpha variant were admitted to hospital within 14 days after the specimen was taken (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2·26 [95% CI 1·32–3·89]). 498 (5·7%) patients with the delta variant versus 1448 (4·2%) patients with the alpha variant were admitted to hospital or attended emergency care within 14 days (adjusted HR 1·45 [1·08–1·95]). Most patients were unvaccinated (32 078 [74·0%] across both groups). The HRs for vaccinated patients with the delta variant versus the alpha variant (adjusted HR for hospital admission 1·94 [95% CI 0·47–8·05] and for hospital admission or emergency care attendance 1·58 [0·69–3·61]) were similar to the HRs for unvaccinated patients (2·32 [1·29–4·16] and 1·43 [1·04–1·97]; p=0·82 for both) but the precision for the vaccinated subgroup was low. Interpretation: This large national study found a higher hospital admission or emergency care attendance risk for patients with COVID-19 infected with the delta variant compared with the alpha variant. Results suggest that outbreaks of the delta variant in unvaccinated populations might lead to a greater burden on health-care services than the alpha variant. Funding: Medical Research Council; UK Research and Innovation; Department of Health and Social Care; and National Institute for Health Research

Changes in symptomatology, reinfection, and transmissibility associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7: an ecological study

Background The SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 was first identified in December, 2020, in England. We aimed to investigate whether increases in the proportion of infections with this variant are associated with differences in symptoms or disease course, reinfection rates, or transmissibility. Methods We did an ecological study to examine the association between the regional proportion of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant and reported symptoms, disease course, rates of reinfection, and transmissibility. Data on types and duration of symptoms were obtained from longitudinal reports from users of the COVID Symptom Study app who reported a positive test for COVID-19 between Sept 28 and Dec 27, 2020 (during which the prevalence of B.1.1.7 increased most notably in parts of the UK). From this dataset, we also estimated the frequency of possible reinfection, defined as the presence of two reported positive tests separated by more than 90 days with a period of reporting no symptoms for more than 7 days before the second positive test. The proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections with the B.1.1.7 variant across the UK was estimated with use of genomic data from the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium and data from Public Health England on spike-gene target failure (a non-specific indicator of the B.1.1.7 variant) in community cases in England. We used linear regression to examine the association between reported symptoms and proportion of B.1.1.7. We assessed the Spearman correlation between the proportion of B.1.1.7 cases and number of reinfections over time, and between the number of positive tests and reinfections. We estimated incidence for B.1.1.7 and previous variants, and compared the effective reproduction number, Rt, for the two incidence estimates. Findings From Sept 28 to Dec 27, 2020, positive COVID-19 tests were reported by 36 920 COVID Symptom Study app users whose region was known and who reported as healthy on app sign-up. We found no changes in reported symptoms or disease duration associated with B.1.1.7. For the same period, possible reinfections were identified in 249 (0·7% [95% CI 0·6–0·8]) of 36 509 app users who reported a positive swab test before Oct 1, 2020, but there was no evidence that the frequency of reinfections was higher for the B.1.1.7 variant than for pre-existing variants. Reinfection occurrences were more positively correlated with the overall regional rise in cases (Spearman correlation 0·56–0·69 for South East, London, and East of England) than with the regional increase in the proportion of infections with the B.1.1.7 variant (Spearman correlation 0·38–0·56 in the same regions), suggesting B.1.1.7 does not substantially alter the risk of reinfection. We found a multiplicative increase in the Rt of B.1.1.7 by a factor of 1·35 (95% CI 1·02–1·69) relative to pre-existing variants. However, Rt fell below 1 during regional and national lockdowns, even in regions with high proportions of infections with the B.1.1.7 variant. Interpretation The lack of change in symptoms identified in this study indicates that existing testing and surveillance infrastructure do not need to change specifically for the B.1.1.7 variant. In addition, given that there was no apparent increase in the reinfection rate, vaccines are likely to remain effective against the B.1.1.7 variant. Funding Zoe Global, Department of Health (UK), Wellcome Trust, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), National Institute for Health Research (UK), Medical Research Council (UK), Alzheimer's Society

Genomic assessment of quarantine measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 importation and transmission

Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from international travel is a priority. We evaluated the effectiveness of travellers being required to quarantine for 14-days on return to England in Summer 2020. We identified 4,207 travel-related SARS-CoV-2 cases and their contacts, and identified 827 associated SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Overall, quarantine was associated with a lower rate of contacts, and the impact of quarantine was greatest in the 16–20 age-group. 186 SARS-CoV-2 genomes were sufficiently unique to identify travel-related clusters. Fewer genomically-linked cases were observed for index cases who returned from countries with quarantine requirement compared to countries with no quarantine requirement. This difference was explained by fewer importation events per identified genome for these cases, as opposed to fewer onward contacts per case. Overall, our study demonstrates that a 14-day quarantine period reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the onward transmission of imported cases, mainly by dissuading travel to countries with a quarantine requirement

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

La gestion des frustrations de carrière des cadres par le coaching

International audienceFinancé en grande partie par les fonds de la formation professionnelle continue, le coaching en entreprise est utilisé par les grandes entreprises pour accompagner leurs cadres supérieurs lors de difficultés de travail ou de transitions de carrière. A partir de 90 entretiens réalisés en région parisienne à la fin des années 2000 auprès de coachs, de gestionnaires des ressources humaines et de cadres coachés, l’étude d’une cinquantaine de cas de coaching montre que, lorsque le recours au coaching porte sur un enjeu de carrière, il intervient dans des situations d’« accident de carrière », de plafonnement, voire de licenciement. Sans infléchir les critères de détermination des carrières des cadres supérieurs dans les grandes entreprises, ce dispositif tente d’adoucir les frustrations générées par ces situations chez des cadres qui aspirent à une carrière ascendante. Au nom de valeurs comme la créativité et l’authenticité à soi, le coaching favorise le réinvestissement des cadres supérieurs au travail tout en contribuant à leur éviction de la voie des dirigeants à laquelle ils aspiraient. Ce dispositif a des effets conservateurs au niveau du système de détermination des carrières mais permet aux individus de « rebondir » en trouvant des issues individuelles et temporaires, y compris une sortie du salariat, à des situations bloquées

« Aux origines des « risques psychosociaux » : retour sur un courant de sociologie médicale »

International audienc

Un coach pour battre la mesure ?

Cet article prend pour objet les temporalités de travail telles qu’elles sont exposées par trois managers dans le huis clos de séances de coaching individuel, dispositif adossé à des techniques psychologiques qui leur a été prescrit par leur entreprise. Se dégagent trois figures prises par leur temps au travail : un temps réduit au présent, voire à l’instant ; un temps fragmenté ; enfin, un trop-plein, un temps qui déborde. Le coaching se présente comme une réponse néomanagériale mise en place par les organisations pour aider leurs cadres supérieurs à mieux gérer la complexité et la diversité des situations professionnelles, dont relèvent les enchevêtrements, voire les contradictions, entre les différentes temporalités dans l’activité de travail. Or, à rebours du nouvel esprit du capitalisme, le coaching tend, dans les faits, à étendre les limites de la planification et à réaffirmer des normes sociales inverses à la société connexionniste. Sont en effet préconisées une focalisation de l’attention, mais aussi ce que nous appelons une hygiène des territoires, à savoir une répartition des tâches la plus stricte et la plus étanche possible et la réaffirmation d’une frontière vie privée/vie professionnelle.This article studies temporalities at work as three managers expose them during individual coaching sessions –a device founded on psychological techniques, which has been “prescribed” to them by their firm. Three figures taken by their time at work appear: a time reduced to the present, almost to the second; a fragmented time; lastly, an overload time that runs over. Coaching presents itself as a neo-managerial answer to help higher executives cope with the complexity and the diversity of their work activity, which include entanglements –if not conflicts– between different temporalities at work. Nevertheless, on the contrary to the “new spirit of capitalism”, coaching tends, in fact, to extend the limits of planning and to reassert social norms that are opposite to connexionnist society. Indeed, it recommends focusing attention, but also what we call “territory hygiene”, which consists in the strictest and most watertight task distribution possible, and in the reaffirmation of the border between private and professional life.Este artículo es un acercamiento a las temporalidades del trabajo tal como las exponen tres managers en el espacio cerrado de unas sesiones de coaching individual, dispositivo apoyado en técnicas psicológicas prescritas por su empresa. Se pueden destacar tres figuras de su tiempo en el trabajo: un tiempo reducido al presente, incluso al instante; un tiempo fragmentado; finalmente, un exceso, un tiempo que se desborda. El coaching se presenta como una respuesta de nuevos modelos de dirección puesta en marcha por las organizaciones para ayudar a sus directivos a gestionar mejor la complejidad y la diversidad de las situaciones profesionales que generan los conflictos, o incluso las contradicciones, entre las diferentes temporalidades en la actividad del trabajo. Ahora bien, a contracorriente del nuevo espíritu del capitalismo, el coaching intenta, en los hechos, extender los límites de la planificación y reafirmar normas sociales inversas a la sociedad conexionista. Se incentiva una focalización de la atención así como lo que llamamos higiene de los territorios (es decir una repartición de tareas la más estricta y hermética posible) y finalmente la preservación de la vida personal que pasa por la reafirmación de una frontera entre vida privada y vida profesional