Impacts of Risk Perceptions of Secondhand Exposure to Drugs on Intent to Leave Among Transit Operators: Transit...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Transportation Safety
• Workplace Psychology

Background:

• Workplace violence and stress are significant concerns in public transit.
• Understanding factors influencing transit operator turnover is crucial for service stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between transit operators' risk perceptions of workplace drug incidents, occupational stress, job satisfaction, and their intent to leave their jobs.
• To identify key drivers of turnover intention among transit operators.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 273 transit operators in Washington and Oregon.
• Data collected included perceived risk of drug exposures, occupational stress, job satisfaction, and intent to leave.
• Ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations.

Main Results:

• Higher perceived risk of workplace drug incidents was positively associated with increased intent to leave.
• Occupational stress and job satisfaction moderated the relationship between perceived risk and intent to leave.
• Elevated stress levels and lower job satisfaction were independently linked to a greater likelihood of intending to leave.

Conclusions:

• Interventions aimed at reducing perceived risks of drug use, such as enhanced training, may decrease turnover.
• Implementing support systems, including mental health resources, can mitigate stress and improve job satisfaction, thereby reducing operator turnover.
• Addressing risk perceptions and improving working conditions are key to retaining transit operators.