The Role of Nonstandard and Precarious Jobs in the Well-Being of Disabled Workers During Workforce Reintegration

Details

• Personal Author:
  Edmonds AT ; O'Connor A ; Peckham T ; Sears JM
• Description:
  Background: Nonstandard employment arrangements are becoming increasingly common and could provide needed flexibility for workers living with disabilities. However, these arrangements may indicate precarious employment, that is, employment characterized by instability, powerlessness, and limited worker rights and benefits. Little is known about the role of nonstandard and precarious jobs in the well-being of disabled persons during workforce reintegration after permanent impairment from work-related injuries or illnesses. Methods: We used linked survey and administrative data for a sample of 442 Washington State workers who recently returned to work and received a workers' compensation permanent partial disability award after permanent impairment from a work-related injury. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between nonstandard employment and outcomes related to worker well-being and sustained employment. We also examined associations between a multidimensional measure of precarious employment and these outcomes. Secondarily, qualitative content analysis methods were used to code worker suggestions on how workplaces could support sustained return to work (RTW). Results: Workers in: (1) nonstandard jobs (compared with full-time, permanent jobs), and (2) precarious jobs (compared with less precarious jobs) had higher adjusted odds of low expectations for sustained RTW. Additionally, workers in precarious jobs had higher odds of reporting fair or poor health and unmet need for disability accommodation. Workers in nonstandard and precarious jobs frequently reported wanting safer and adequately staffed workplaces to ensure safety and maintain sustained employment. Conclusions: Ensuring safe, secure employment for disabled workers could play an important role in their well-being and sustained RTW. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Disabled Persons Disabled Workers Diseases Injuries Nonstandard Employment Occupational Health Occupational Injuries Precarious Employment Quality Of Work Life Quantitative Analysis QWL Regression Analysis Return To Work Worker Health Workers Workers Compensation Work Intervals Work Operations Work Organization

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  64
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062747
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2021 Aug; 64(8):667-679
• Contact Point Address:
  Amy T. Edmonds, BA, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Box 357660, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
• Email:
  edmonds8@uw.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c5939ea148a228bd7e609ae23e3ff5ebc03eaa54e8cb0d865dc47ed1d65602d25081d020ea1c2fa76c1f3cf86daf93c96b37d05a9c4fba9f92e993b789e2a5f2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225938/cdc_225938_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 908.14 KB ]