Observers’ reactions to workplace incivility in the masculine domain: How does role congruency explain gender bias in future workers?

Based on Role Congruity Theory, we tested the hypothesis of gender bias by examining gender differences in observers ‘evaluations of the awareness and acceptability of workplace incivility gender-dyad interaction. Four-hundred Spanish high school students (55.8% female) read one scenario of overt incivility (publicly humiliates and openly doubts the employee's judgment) or covert (omits and pays little attention) from a leader (female vs. male) toward a subordinate (female vs. male) in engineering. Results indicated gender differences among observers. From the leader actor of incivility, males were more aware and accepted less the incivility when performed by a female leader in a male domain; whereas females were more aware and accepted less incivility than males in all cases. Regarding the subordinate target of incivility, only females were more aware and accepted less incivility, and both males and females were more aware and accepted less covert incivility. Our results reveal practical implications for interventions from a gender perspectiv

Health‐related quality of life and working conditions on public transport workers in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2012

Drivers and conductors working in public transport are frequently exposed to inadequate working conditions and consequently to health problems relating to their work activities. This study investigates the relationship between the working conditions of drivers and conductors in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and their perception of health-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life was measured in a sample of 1,607 public transport workers in the city of Belo Horizonte using the SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form General Health Survey). The presence and magnitude of independent associations between the SF-12 domains and the exposure variables were determined by means of odds ratios obtained through logistic regression. After adjustments, the PCS (Physical Component Score) was found to be negatively associated with the existence of breaks during the working day and positively associated with unavailability of technical resources for meeting needs. The MCS (Mental Component Score) was positively associated with being female, having two or more medical diagnoses of illnesses, absenteeism and recent episodes of aggression or threats, and feeling vibration in the whole body. The MCS was negatively associated with the practice of physical exercise. Both components were negatively associated with older age and positively associated with having a poor self-assessment of health. Exposure to a variety of risk factors while performing work worsened health-related quality of life. The results obtained may provide support for rethinking and guiding public policies directed towards metropolitan populations

Outsourcing occupational safety and health: an analysis of the make or buy decision

This paper investigates the factors affecting the outsourcing decision of occupational safety and health (OSH) services. I posit several hypotheses following the three main approaches to the make or buy question: (1) the transaction cost theory, (2) the resource-based view of the firm, and (3) the behavioral decision-making framework. The empirical analysis draws on microdata from 3,047 Spanish firms that are legally obliged to provide organized OSH activities but free to choose the option to outsource. Results show that informational symmetries and increasing transaction costs mainly explain the decision to outsource the OSH activity. Organizational behavior variables, such as management commitment to safety and workers' representation, also relate to the outcome of the decision but not necessarily as hypothesized. Finally, I did not generally observe the strategic value of safety in informing the make or buy decision. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc