Effect of Government Guidelines and Corporate Governance on Telework Adoption and Occupational Health Measures in Taiwanese-Listed Companies.

Background: Telework adoption in Taiwan has surged because of government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the disclosure practices of Taiwanese-listed companies, assessing their adherence to government telework guidelines and their correlation with corporate governance, focusing on occupational health measures. Methods: We conducted a guideline-adherent cohort analysis of the 2020 and 2021 sustainability reports of 295 Taiwanese-listed companies. We assessed their disclosure of corporate measures for teleworking in alignment with two government guidelines, specifically occupational health measures. Using the McNemar test and general estimating equation analysis, we compared the 2020 and 2021 responses and examined their associations with corporate governance rankings. Results: Telework adoption increased significantly from 2020 to 2021, with 68% of companies reporting new work modes. The mentioning of government guidelines also increased to 67% by 2021. Companies with higher governance rankings were more likely to adopt online occupational health measures, including occupational health services (RR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.41-2.94; p < 0.001) and mental health promotion activities (RR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.06-3.82; p = 0.032), than those with low rankings. Although on-site and online occupational health services increased, home workspace assessments did not. Conclusion: Our findings highlight significant upward trends in the disclosure of telework measures following the issuance of government guidelines. Corporate governance is significantly associated with the implementation of occupational health measures. Amid the evolution of teleworking, both government guidelines and corporate governance have become essential for shaping work arrangements and ensuring workforce well-being.

Relationship Between Companies' Responses to Near-Miss Reports and Turnover Intentions of Workers: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Effective near-miss management is important in preventing workplace accidents. A company's inadequate response to near-miss reports can lead workers to feel insecure and dissatisfied with the company. We investigated the relationship between companies' responses to near-miss reports and turnover intentions of workers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using online self-administered questionnaire survey to workers aged ≥20 years in Japan in March 2022. The analysis included 5,071 participants who had near-miss experiences and reported them to their companies. The independent variable was companies' responses to near-miss reports, classified into three categories: adequate response group, inadequate response group, and no response group. The dependent variable was turnover intentions. We calculated the odds ratio and 95% confidential interval (CI) using multilevel logistic regression analyses nested for industries and adjusted for covariates. Results: Of the 5,071 participants, 3,058 (60.3%) were adequate response group, 1,484 (29.3%) were inadequate response group, and 529 (10.4%) were no response group. In multivariable adjusted model, compared with adequate response group, the odds ratio of inadequate response group and no response group were 1.80 (95% CI: 1.56-2.08) and 2.63 (95% CI: 2.15-3.22), respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggested that there was a relationship between companies' responses to the near-miss reports and turnover intentions of workers. It is important not only to collect near-misses but also to respond appropriately to the reports and provide feedback to workers.

Role of Supervisor Consultation Toward Work Engagement: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: We examined the association between supervisor consultation, as an actual practice representing supervisor support, and work engagement. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in Japan, involving 14,026 participants who met the requirement for a one-year follow-up. Supervisor consultation was measured using a single question, and work engagement was defined using the Japanese version of the nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9). Associations were examined using linear regression analysis. Results: Supervisor consultation was positively associated with work engagement after adjusting for gender, age, education, income, and industry (ß = 3.474; p < 0.001). The relationship remained significant after adjustment for perceived supervisor support, although the coefficient decreased (ß = 1.315; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Supervisor consultation probably acted on work engagement in different ways than perceived supervisor support.

Determinants of job continuity among older workers: a mixed-methods research in Japan.

This study aims to determine the factors that encourage older workers to continue working. This study had an exploratory sequential design using a mixed-methods approach, including interviews and questionnaire surveys. In the interview survey, we targeted 30 workers aged between 60-65 across three manufacturing companies. After using the results of the content analysis in the interviews, we conducted an online questionnaire survey with 1,500 workers aged between 60-89 across the country. We analyzed whether the 15 factors were related to intention to continue working using logistic regression analysis. We identified factors affecting job continuity from three perspectives: individual, company, and life. We determined several factors: health condition, job performance, self-esteem, conservatism, employment system, workload, medical insurance and welfare programs, monetary and non-monetary rewards, relationships, attachment to the organization, distance between living and work, social support, economic situation, and employment policy. In the questionnaire survey, some factors had no relationship with job continuity, including conservatism, employment systems, monetary rewards, and the distance between living and work. Employers and policymakers can use the findings to consider appropriate ways of supporting older workers.

Occupational health staff's involvement contributes to supervisor's perceived organizational support in Japanese workforce: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Enhancing employees' perceived organizational support (POS) is crucial for organization, and one effective approach is enhancing supervisors' POS. However, there is limited research focusing specifically on enhancing supervisors' POS. We aimed to investigate the influence of occupational health staff's involvement for supervisors on their POS. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted using an online survey targeting supervisors in various industries across Japan. We assessed supervisors' POS using an effective 8-items of the Japanese version of the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support. Data on the involvement of occupational health staff in providing occupational health staff's involvement in providing supervisors with training on workplace health management and guidance on addressing specific subordinates with health concerns were collected. The association between these involvement and POS was assessed through multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The study involved 541 supervisors with occupational health staff at their workplace in the final analysis. Training from occupational health staff was significantly associated with an increase in POS at follow-up after adjustment for potential confounders, including demographic variables and POS at baseline. Similarly, guidance from occupational health staff was also significantly associated with an increase POS. This effect was particularly notable in small workplaces. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that occupational health staff's involvement in supporting supervisors can contribute to enhancing supervisors' POS, especially in small workplaces. These findings suggest that by developing structured systems and establishing specific roles for occupational health staff, organizations may effectively enhance supervisors' POS.

Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS-J) for the Japanese workforce. METHODS: The translation of the SPOS into Japanese followed the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) Task Force guidelines. An online baseline survey with 6,220 Japanese workers assessed the SPOS-J and related scales, followed by a follow-up survey with 452 respondents two weeks later. We developed the SPOS-J and evaluated its factorial, convergent, and known-group validities, as well as its internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and interpretability. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) indicated that the SPOS-J, diverging from the original version's one-factor structure, adopted a two-factor structure comprising two subscales: the SPOS-J (Sufficiency of Positive Aspects (SPA)) and the SPOS-J (Minimality of Negative Aspects (MNA)). The final version of the SPOS-J, consisting of eight items selected by the item response theory analysis, demonstrated acceptable model fit in the CFA. Cronbach's alphas for SPOS-J (SPA) and SPOS-J (MNA) were .92 and .84; intra-class coefficients were .72 and .55, respectively. The correlations between SPOS-J (SPA) and related variables, as well as the score distributions by demographic characteristics, supported the convergent and known-group validity of SPOS-J (SPA). In contrast, SPOS-J (MNA) showed lower correlation coefficients with all related variables and did not support known-group validity. CONCLUSIONS: The SPOS-J (SPA), a subscale of the eight-item SPOS-J, is a reliable and valid measure for assessing perceived organizational support among Japanese workers.

Effect of side jobs and psychological distress on employee turnover in Japanese employees: A nationwide prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the impact of engaging in side jobs on turnover and its interaction with psychological distress among Japanese employees. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted using a questionnaire-based survey. We investigated 2783 full-time employees in companies permitting side jobs. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between side jobs and turnover, and its relationship stratified by psychological distress. RESULTS: Employees engaging in side jobs had higher odds ratios (ORs) for turnover after adjusting for covariates, included psychological distress (OR = 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-1.93). Among those under psychological distress, ORs for turnover were significantly higher (OR = 1.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.39-2.76). Conversely, in employees without distress, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Side job engagement correlates with higher turnover, particularly among employees under psychological distress.

The Individual and Work-Related Factors Associated with the Occupational Future Time Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Workers in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational future time perspective (OFTP) is important concept for the successful career in older workers. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between individual and work-related factors and OFTP. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study via an online questionnaire survey. Respondents were stratified sampled according to the distribution of workers across Japan. To assess OFTP, we used the Japanese version of the OFTP scale. We included the factors such as sex, age, education, marital status, subjective health status, personal income, length of employment, industry, size of company, employment status, working days per week, and night shift. Multiple regression analysis was employed to calculate the regression coefficients for each factor, with OFTP serving as the dependent variable. RESULTS: We totally included 1,484 respondents. Our findings indicated that higher OFTP was associated with higher education, better subjective health status, higher personal income, and smaller size of company. Compared to the manufacturing, certain industries such as agriculture and forestry, transportation and postal services, and healthcare showed lower OFTP. In contrast to permanent workers, contract and part-time workers demonstrated lower OFTP, whereas owners of non-family businesses exhibited higher OFTP. Furthermore, individuals working 1-4 days per week showed lower OFTP compared to those working 5 days per week. CONCLUSIONS: Older workers facing limitations in resources, such as educational background, personal income, precarious employment, and health status, tend to have lower OFTP. Such individuals should be given priority for support and assistance.

A prospective cohort study of perceived organizational support and occupational accidents and near-miss events among Japanese workers.

INTRODUCTION: Preventing occupational accidents is a major global challenge, and employee safety practices play a crucial role in accident prevention. Although perceived organizational support (POS) is related to safety practices, there is currently insufficient evidence supporting a relationship between POS and occupational accidents. We investigated the relationships between POS and both occupational accidents and near-miss events that can lead to accidents in the following year among workers in various industries in Japan. METHOD: This prospective cohort study was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 using a questionnaire survey. In total, 9916 participants who completed the follow-up survey and met our inclusion criteria were analyzed. The follow-up survey asked participants about both occupational accidents and near-miss events experienced in the year following the baseline assessment. POS was evaluated at baseline using the eight-item version of the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support. Odds ratios (ORs) for the relationships between POS and occupational accidents and near-miss events were estimated using multilevel logistic regression analyses nested by industries. RESULTS: The ORs for self-reported occupational accidents were significantly higher for the moderate (OR = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.82), low (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.18-1.89), and very low (OR = 2.03, 95%CI: 1.61-2.56) POS groups compared with the very high group. The ORs for self-reported near-miss events were also significantly higher for the moderate (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.03-1.43), low (OR = 1.20, 95%CI: 1.03-1.40), and very low (OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.34-1.82) groups than the very high group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest lower POS is related to a higher occurrence of occupational accidents and near-miss events in the following year. Organizations should consider enhancing employees' POS to reduce occupational accidents and near-miss events. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: To enhance employees' POS, organizations should address identified antecedents of POS (e.g., fairness, supervisor support, rewards, favorable job conditions, and human resource practices).

Bridging perceived organizational support with learning motivation and work engagement: the mediating role of focus on opportunity.

OBJECTIVES: Perceived organizational support (POS) represents the extent to which employees believe their organization values their contributions and well-being. Although higher POS is associated with increased work engagement and learning motivation, the intricacies of this relationship, especially the mediation by occupational future time perspective (OFTP), are not well understood. METHODS: We conducted an online survey of 2046 working individuals aged 20-69 to assess the relationships between POS and 2 outcome variables, learning goal orientation (LGO) and work engagement, with multiple regression analyses for all ages and in the younger age group (under 45). Then, the mediating effects of focus on opportunity (FOO)-a primary component of OFTP-on these relationships were examined. RESULTS: Of 2046 participants, 887 were younger than 45 years. Younger participants, predominantly more educated and inclined toward professional jobs, exhibited higher LGO but lower work engagement compared with their older counterparts. POS showed positive correlations with LGO, and FOO significantly mediated the relationship, especially in the young group. Furthermore, a positive relationship between POS and work engagement was noted, with FOO as a partial mediator. CONCLUSIONS: POS correlates positively with both LGO and work engagement across various age demographics, with FOO critically mediating this relationship. To enhance employee engagement and learning motivation, organizations should emphasize bolstering both POS and FOO.

Association between workaholism and headaches causing presenteeism: A cross-sectional study in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the association between workaholism and headaches causing presenteeism among Japanese employees. METHODS: Used data from self-reporting questionnaire and annual health checkups. Workaholism was assessed using the Dutch Workaholic Scale and headaches causing presenteeism were identified as the symptom hindering work. We performed a logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates. RESULTS: Among 5,802 respondents, 3.7% cited headaches as the symptom hindering work. We found an association between workaholism and such headaches (Odds ratios [OR]: 1.05, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.03-1.08). Both working excessively (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.12) and working compulsively (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15) subscales were also related. CONCLUSIONS: Workaholism may lead to productivity loss due to headaches, and addressing workaholism can prevent this loss. Combining health examination data with work hours data may enable the early detection of workaholism.

Incidence of coronary heart disease among remote workers: a nationwide web-based cohort study.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk is influenced by socioeconomic status-related parameters, particularly occupation. We investigated occupational gaps in CHD risk and how the introduction of remote work moderated the observed occupational differences in CHD risk during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan. Data from a web-based, nationwide cohort study, comprising 17,640 workers (aged 20-65 years) with baseline data from December 2020, were analyzed. Participants were grouped by occupation as upper-level nonmanual workers (managers/professionals) and others (reference group). The primary outcome was CHD (angina pectoris/myocardial infarction) onset retrospectively confirmed at the 1-year follow-up survey. Upper-level nonmanual workers exhibited a higher CHD incidence than others (2.3% vs. 1.7%). This association was pronounced in the younger (20-49 years) population, with a significant CHD risk (adjusted risk ratio = 1.88). Upper-level nonmanual workers exhibited nearly 15% higher remote work prevalence, with a significant remote work-related CHD risk (adjusted risk ratio = 1.92). The mediating effects of remote work explained an overall disparity of 32% among the younger population. Occupational gaps in CHD incidence in Japan differ from those in Western countries, where upper-level nonmanual workers have lower cardiovascular risk. In Japan, remote work can mediate CHD risk in the younger population of upper-level nonmanual workers.

Relationship between diabetes treatment status and occupational accidents.

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between diabetes treatment status and occupational accidents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire survey completed in March 2022 among workers aged 20 years or older. The questionnaire included questions about diabetes treatment status and occupational accidents. The association between the treatment status of diabetes and occupational accidents was examined using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study included 25,756 participants with no diabetes, 1,364 participants receiving diabetes treatment, 177 participants who had interrupted diabetes treatment, and 396 participants who needed diabetes treatment but had not seen a doctor. Compared with those with diabetes treatment, the odds ratio of occupational accidents among participants without diabetes was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.32-0.49), the odds ratio among participants with interrupted diabetes treatment was 4.15 (95% CI: 2.86-6.01), and the odds ratio among participants who needed diabetes treatment but had not seen a doctor was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.89-1.77). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that diabetes treatment status was related to occupational accidents, and it may be important for workers with diabetes to be supported to balance their diabetes management and their work commitments.

Relationship Between Firm Size and Perceived Organizational Support and the Moderating Role of Supervisor Support: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore the relationship between firm size and perceived organizational support (POS) and to investigate how supervisor support might moderate this relationship. METHODS: The study involved a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in Japan with 25,648 participants. Assessing POS through eight-question. Firm size was categorized into small (2-49 employees), medium (50-999), and large (1000 or more). Coefficients were estimated using multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that medium and large firms had lower POS compared to small firms, with the difference being more pronounced in medium firms. A positive interaction between firm size and supervisor support was observed for POS. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that although POS is more likely to be lower in medium and large firms than in small firms, the effect of supervisor support on improving POS is stronger.

Treatment status of psychiatric disorders and falls in the workplace among Japanese workers: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, the most common injury requiring sick leave is a fall in the workplace; therefore, it is very important to prevent falls. Most measures to prevent falls involve aspects of the workplace environment and safety. However, few measures consider the perspective of individual health. We investigated the relationship between psychiatric disorders and falls in the workplace and whether treatment status for a psychiatric disorder is associated with workplace falls. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among workers aged 20 years or older in Japan from February 28 to March 3, 2022. In total, the data of 27 693 participants were analyzed. We used a questionnaire to query participants' status of treatment for any psychiatric disorder and whether they had experienced a fall in the workplace. The association between treatment for a psychiatric disorder and workplace falls was examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with participants receiving appropriate treatment for a psychiatric disorder, the odds ratio (OR) of a workplace fall was significantly lower among participants who did not require treatment for a psychiatric disorder, at 0.56 (95% CI: 0.47-0.66; P < .001); the OR of a workplace fall was significantly higher among participants whose treatment for a psychiatric disorder was interrupted, at 1.47 (95% CI: 1.21-1.78; P < .001), after adjusting for age, sex, household income, number of workplace employees, sleeping hours, exercise habits, and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that receiving appropriate treatment for psychiatric disorders may contribute to preventing falls in the workplace.

A prospective cohort study of presenteeism and increased risk of unemployment among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Presenteeism adversely affects workers' quality of life, leading to further deterioration of their health and affecting their ability to continue working. Unemployment is one of the most serious consequences for workers experiencing presenteeism. A worker's ability to work depends on the degree of mismatch between their health status and job demands and work factors. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected workers' experiences of presenteeism as well as their employment status. We examined the association between presenteeism and risk of job resignations and unemployment among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A prospective study of 27 036 internet monitors was conducted, starting in December 2020, with 18 560 (68.7%) participating in the follow-up by December 2021. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun) was used to measure the degree of work function impairment. RESULTS: The group with the highest WFun scores had higher odds ratios (ORs) for both retirement and unemployment for health reasons than the group with the lowest WFun scores. ORs were 2.99 (95% CI, 2.48-3.62; P < .001) and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.65-2.00; P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Workers with work functioning impairment are at increased risk of resignation or unemployment. Management strategies for workers with work functioning impairment are needed to reduce their disadvantages in employment.

Association between exposure to technological advances in the workplace and work engagement: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to measure the association between exposure to technological advances and work engagement, adjusting for personal and workplace factors. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide online longitudinal survey study in Japan. The sample was stratified to represent Japanese workforce conditions. Work engagement was measured using the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9. Exposure to technological advances was measured using a single question with Likert scale responses. Industry characteristics that were more/less likely to be replaced by automation were also measured. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 16 629 participants. We found that exposure to technological advances was associated with work engagement after adjustment for age, sex, education, income, and industry characteristics. We observed a significant interaction between age and exposure to technological advances (coefficient 0.891, P < .001), and conducted an age-stratified linear regression analysis. The significant association between age and exposure to technological advances reduced as age increased, and disappeared after adjustment for baseline work engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal observations showed that exposure to technological advances was not significantly associated with work engagement.

Effects of the Need for Support From the Workplace and Resilience on Psychological Distress in Japanese Employees: A 1-Year Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: This study examines workplace support and resilience's influence on psychological distress in Japanese employees. METHOD: A 1-year prospective online cohort study was conducted. Logistic regression analyzed prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for psychological distress. Participants were grouped based on their support and resilience levels. RESULTS: Prevalence odds ratios for psychological distress followed this pattern for low and high resilience groups: "necessary but not received" (prevalence odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for low/high resilience: 9.71, 6.88-13.69 and 4.72, 2.97-7.52, respectively), "received" (6.65, 4.29-10.29 and 2.27, 1.21-4.25), and "not necessary" (4.43, 3.30-5.95 and reference). Workplace support had a stronger impact on psychological distress in low-resilience employees. CONCLUSIONS: We provided evidence that the combination of the need for support from the workplace and resilience affects psychological distress in employees.

A Cross-sectional Study on the Impact of Unfair Treatment Associated With COVID-19 Infection and Psychological Distress in Japanese Workers.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is commonly reported sequela in COVID-19-infected people. We investigated the association between experiencing COVID-19 infection and psychological distress in Japan. METHOD: A total of 14,901 persons who participated in a follow-up survey in December 2022 were included in the analysis. Odds ratios and regression coefficients were estimated by statistical analysis, with history of COVID-19 infection as the independent variable and presence of psychological distress as the dependent variable. RESULT: Experiencing COVID-19 infection was associated with psychological distress. In a model adjusted for "feeling treated unfairly," the association between infection experience and a high K6 score was significantly attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the experience of COVID-19 infection is associated with psychological distress. Moreover, most cases of psychological distress among those who experienced COVID-19 infection can be at least partly explained by a perception of unfair treatment.

Protocol of a study to benchmark occupational health and safety in Japan: W2S-Ohpm study.

We aim to conduct a prospective cohort study to benchmark occupational health and safety in Japan. Here, we describe the detailed protocol for the baseline survey based on the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. We conducted the baseline survey for the prospective cohort study in 2022. Our target population was workers in Japan aged 20 years or older, who we sampled to be representative of the Japanese workforce, stratified by sex, age, and region. Among 59,272 registered monitors who answered the initial screening questions, 29,997 completed the survey. After excluding 2,304 invalid responses, we used 27,693 valid participants in our final analysis. The number and mean age of men were 15,201 (55%) and 46 years; those of women were 12,492 (45%) and 45 years. With respect to sex, age, and regional composition, our sampling was representative of Japan's working population. Our sampling for employment status and industry yielded almost the same proportions as a government-led representative sampling of workers in Japan.