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Worker participation in occupational health programs: establishing a central role
1Occupational Health Program, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, USA.
Summary
The evolving nature of work poses risks to employee health. Occupational health must address work organization and promote genuine worker participation, not just productivity.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Workplace Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Modern work environments and organizational structures increasingly present psychosocial hazards to worker health.
- Traditional occupational health and safety (OHS) frameworks have narrowly defined worker well-being, often overlooking the health impacts of work organization.
- There is a critical need to broaden the scope of OHS to encompass work organization, workplace stress, and employee participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for an expanded definition of occupational health and safety that includes work organization and worker participation.
- To critically evaluate the efficacy and authenticity of current worker participation programs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on OHS practices and work organization.
- Analysis of the concept and implementation of worker participation programs.
- Critical assessment of the role of OHS professionals in advocating for worker well-being.
Main Results:
- Hazardous work organizations and psychosocial environments are prevalent.
- Existing OHS paradigms are insufficient to address these emerging health risks.
- Many worker participation programs offer limited genuine control to employees.
Conclusions:
- Occupational health professionals must expand their purview to include work organization, stress, and participation.
- OHS professionals should champion authentic worker participation initiatives.
- It is crucial to distinguish between meaningful participation and programs that primarily serve management's productivity goals.