Mental health at work: A review of interventions in organizations

The purpose of the review was to identify and critically analyse the organizational interventions aimed at improving employees’ mental health, in order to detect best practices across organizations and to uncover possible gaps. Through electronic and manual searches, 7,995 articles were initially found. Inclusion criteria were set to select those studies describing interventions conducted in the organizational context and focused on employee mental health. By examining titles, abstracts and full texts, 14 papers were included. These studies covered a variety of interventions and approaches, such as group therapy, work-life balance programs, and manager-level interventions. Additionally, three studies assessed the effectiveness of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) aimed at enhancing individuals’ mental health via counselling. Overall, two different intervention types emerged, namely individual-level interventions, focusing on the single employee, and organizational-level interventions, targeting organizational or work conditions. The interventions are described in details and, drawing upon the realist evaluation approach, the mechanisms responsible for their success (or failure) are identified. The main mechanisms pertain to changes in employee cognitive models, job attitudes or lifestyle habits, modifications in working conditions, and the active involvement and participation of employees and management in the intervention. Best practices for the design of future initiatives are offered, and some of the main limitations and gaps in the literature are discussed, such as the predominant focus on the results of the intervention rather than on the process, and the prevalence of short-term individualistic approaches that minimizing the role of organizations in creating or exacerbating employees’ mental health conditions

Employment and Chronic Diseases: Suggested Actions for The Implementation of Inclusive Policies for The Participation of People with Chronic Diseases in the Labour Market

In recent decades, the number of people living with one or more chronic diseases has increased dramatically, affecting all sectors of society, particularly the labour market. Such an increase of people with chronic diseases combined with the aging of working population affects income levels and job opportunities, careers, social inclusion and working conditions. Both legislation and company regulations should take into account the difficulties that workers experiencing chronic diseases may face in order to be able to formulate innovative and person-centred responses to effectively manage this workforce while simultaneously ensuring employee wellbeing and continued employer productivity. The European Joint Action "CHRODIS PLUS: Implementing good practices for Chronic Diseases" supports European Union Member States in the implementation of new and innovative policies and practices for health promotion, diseases prevention and for promoting participation of people with chronic diseases in labour market. Therefore, a Toolbox for employment and chronic conditions has been developed and its aim is to improve work access and participation of people with chronic diseases and to support employers in implementing health promotion and chronic disease prevention activities in the workplace. The Toolbox consists of two independent instruments: the Training tool for managers and the Toolkit for workplaces that have been tested in different medium and large companies and working sectors in several European countries.The current study was part of CHRODIS PLUS Joint Action, which has received funding from the European Union, in the framework of the Health Programme (2014–2020) Grant agreement n. 761307. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.S

Factors Related to Unemployment in Europe. A Cross-Sectional Study from the COURAGE Survey in Finland, Poland and Spain

Background: Research addressing the impact of a large number of factors on unemployment is scarce. We aimed to comprehensively identify factors related to unemployment in a sample of persons aged 18-64 from Finland, Poland and Spain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, factors from different areas were considered: socio-demographic indicators, health habits, chronic conditions, health state markers, vision and hearing indicators, and social networks and built environment scores. Results: Complete data were available for 5003 participants, mean age 48.1 (SD 11.5), 45.4% males. The most important factors connected to unemployment were health status indicators such as physical disability (OR = 2.944), self-rated health (OR = 2.629), inpatient care (OR = 1.980), and difficulties with getting to the toilet (OR = 2.040), while the most relevant factor related to employment were moderate alcohol consumption (OR = 0.732 for non-heavy drinkers; OR = 0.573 for infrequent heavy drinkers), and being married (OR = 0.734), or having been married (OR = 0.584). Other factors that played a significant role included presence of depression (OR = 1.384) and difficulties with near vision (OR = 1.584) and conversation hearing (OR = 1.597). Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance of selected factors related to unemployment, and suggest public health indications that could support concrete actions on modifiable factors, such as those aimed to promote physical activity and healthy behaviors, tackling depression or promoting education, in particular for the younger

Mapping European Welfare Models: State of the Art of Strategies for Professional Integration and Reintegration of Persons with Chronic Diseases

Background: Persons with chronic diseases (PwCDs) often experience work-related problems, and innovative actions to improve their participation in the labor market are needed. In the frame of the European (EU) Pathways Project, the aim of the study is to compare existing strategies (policies, systems, and services) for professional (re-)integration of PwCDs and mental health conditions available at both European and national level between different European welfare models: Scandinavian, Continental, Anglo-Saxon, Mediterranean, and “Post-Communist”. Method: The European strategies were identified by an overview of relevant academic and grey literature searched through Medline and internet searches, while national strategies were explored through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with national relevant stakeholders. Results: The mapping of existing strategies revealed that, both at European and national level, PwCDs are often considered as part of the group of “persons with disabilities” and only in this case they can receive employment support. European countries put in place actions to support greater labor market participation, but these differ from country to country. Conclusion: Strategies targeting “persons with disabilities” do not necessarily address all the needs of persons with chronic diseases. Countries should consider the importance of employment for all to achieve smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth

La prevención de los riesgos psicosociales: una perspectiva comparada (Italia-España)

Puede apreciarse que cada día resulta mayor el protagonismo de los riesgos psicosociales en el ámbito del trabajo pudiéndose advertir que su proyección sobre la salud del trabajador muestra datos que invitan al análisis y a la reflexión. Procedemos a analizar esta materia que resulta de particular interés y actualidad incidiendo en la prevención y la gestión de los riesgos psicosociales desde una óptica comparada entre el ordenamiento jurídico italiano y español. Repasando los estudios y las consecuencias de los riesgos psicosociales que sufren los trabajadores en las empresas, se procede a la comparación de las disposiciones en esta materia y los modelos de organización y gestión para la prevención relativa a los factores organizativos del riesgo de estrés laboral. En el contexto descrito, jugará un papel fundamental la norma administrativa sancionadora que centrará las iniciativas en el ámbito preventivo. Concluimos con una reflexión acerca de las nuevas fórmulas de trabajo y de producción, predicables de la gran transformación del trabajo actual, no plenamente integrada en una cultura de la prevención.It is noticeable that psychosocial risks play an increasing role at work while their impact on worker’s health prompts and analysis and reflection on data. We analyse this special and topical interest area, focusing on prevention and management of psychosocial risks in a comparative perspective between Spanish legal system and the Italian. Reviewing the studies and consequences of psychosocial risks on workers, this paper compares legal provisions in this area and models of organization and management for the prevention of organizational risk factors of stress. In this area the role of administrative disciplinary law occupy a predominant place. This paper concludes with a discussion on new ways of working and production, concerning the great transformation of work in progress, not fully integrated into a culture of prevention.Departamento de Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social. UG

La prevención de los riesgos psicosociales: una perspectiva comparada (Italia-España)

Puede apreciarse que cada día resulta mayor el protagonismo de los riesgos psicosociales en el ámbito del trabajo pudiéndose advertir que su proyección sobre la salud del trabajador muestra datos que invitan al análisis y a la reflexión. Procedemos a analizar esta materia que resulta de particular interés y actualidad incidiendo en la prevención y la gestión de los riesgos psicosociales desde una óptica comparada entre el ordenamiento jurídico italiano y español. Repasando los estudios y las consecuencias de los riesgos psicosociales que sufren los trabajadores en las empresas, se procede a la comparación de las disposiciones en esta materia y los modelos de organización y gestión para la prevención relativa a los factores organizativos del riesgo de estrés laboral. En el contexto descrito, jugará un papel fundamental la norma administrativa sancionadora que centrará las iniciativas en el ámbito preventivo. Concluimos con una reflexión acerca de las nuevas fórmulas de trabajo y de producción, predicables de la gran transformación del trabajo actual, no plenamente integrada en una cultura de la prevención.It is noticeable that psychosocial risks play an increasing role at work while their impact on worker’s health prompts and analysis and reflection on data. We analyse this special and topical interest area, focusing on prevention and management of psychosocial risks in a comparative perspective between Spanish legal system and the Italian. Reviewing the studies and consequences of psychosocial risks on workers, this paper compares legal provisions in this area and models of organization and management for the prevention of organizational risk factors of stress. In this area the role of administrative disciplinary law occupy a predominant place. This paper concludes with a discussion on new ways of working and production, concerning the great transformation of work in progress, not fully integrated into a culture of prevention.Departamento de Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social. UG

Keeping People with Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment in Employment: A Literature Review on Its Determinants

Background: Approximately 10–20% of people with early onset dementias (EOD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are aged under 65 and, due to extended working life and increasing prevalence of dementias, they more and more frequently will be present in the active workforce. This review aimed to synthesize the available information about the ability of people with EOD or MCI to retain their participation in the labor workforce. Methods: We searched SCOPUS and EMBASE for peer-reviewed papers that reported studies assessing work ability in employees with EOD or MCI that were published in the period of January 2010 to August 2019. Results: We selected four publications, in which 1012 participants with EOD or MCI were enrolled (41.2% males). Cognitive difficulties rather than motor dysfunction were found to reduce patients’ ability to work. Two main themes emerged: management of dementia in the workplace and the impact of symptoms on working status. Conclusions: EOD and MCI impact on workforce participation by determining problems in executive functions. Although this review was based on a small sample of studies, it can be shown that support in the workplace may act as a facilitator to enhance workforce participation, and occupational health professionals can help patients with EOD or MCI continue working as much as possible

Mapping European Welfare Models: State of the Art of Strategies for Professional Integration and Reintegration of Persons with Chronic Diseases

Background: Persons with chronic diseases (PwCDs) often experience work-related problems, and innovative actions to improve their participation in the labor market are needed. In the frame of the European (EU) Pathways Project, the aim of the study is to compare existing strategies (policies, systems, and services) for professional (re-)integration of PwCDs and mental health conditions available at both European and national level between different European welfare models: Scandinavian, Continental, Anglo-Saxon, Mediterranean, and “Post-Communist”. Method: The European strategies were identified by an overview of relevant academic and grey literature searched through Medline and internet searches, while national strategies were explored through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with national relevant stakeholders. Results: The mapping of existing strategies revealed that, both at European and national level, PwCDs are often considered as part of the group of “persons with disabilities” and only in this case they can receive employment support. European countries put in place actions to support greater labor market participation, but these differ from country to country. Conclusion: Strategies targeting “persons with disabilities” do not necessarily address all the needs of persons with chronic diseases. Countries should consider the importance of employment for all to achieve smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth

Chronic Diseases and Employment: Which Interventions Support the Maintenance of Work and Return to Work among Workers with Chronic Illnesses? A Systematic Review

The increase of chronic diseases worldwide impact quality of life, cause economic and medical costs, and make it necessary to look for strategies and solutions that allow people with chronic diseases (PwCDs) to lead an active working life. As part of the CHRODIS Plus Joint European Action project, a systematic review was conducted to identify studies of interventions that support the maintenance of work and return to work (RTW) among workers with chronic illnesses. These interventions should target employees with the following conditions: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic vascular syndrome, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, and neurological disorders. An extensive search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO for English language studies. Included in this review were 15 randomized controlled trials (RCT) for adult employees (aged 18+). We found that workplace-oriented and multidisciplinary programs are the most supportive to RTW and reducing the absence due to illness. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapies achieve positive results on RTW and sick leave. Finally, coaching is effective for the self-management of chronic disease and significantly improved perceptions of working capacity and fatigue