Work and Well-being: The Changing Face of Occupational Safety and Health

Posted on by Paul A. Schulte, Ph.D., and Steve L. Sauter, Ph.D.

 

There is strong evidence that work, health and well-being are closely and powerfully linked and need to be addressed together. (Dame Carol Black) [1]

The conjunctive phrase “…and well-being” is often used in the occupational safety and health (OSH) literature in the context of health and well-being. However, historically, well-being has not been defined, operationalized, prioritized or specifically considered. To gain perspective on the concept of well-being, it is useful to think of the history of OSH in a conceptual way in terms of five overlapping characteristic eras (see Figure 1)*. These include: Foundational concepts; Child labor/basic welfare/emerging perspectives; Toxic chemicals/physical agents/safety; Health and productivity/work organization factors and stress-related disorders; and, Total Worker Health®/well-being/future of work/sustainability. The most recent era starting with the early 2000’s is influenced by:

1) the realization that the nature of work, the workforce, and the workplace is changing in major ways and at a rapid pace;

2) recognition that a large number of factors external to work such as health behaviors (e.g., alcohol and drug use), aging, pandemics, and chronic disease are influencing work and workers’ health, that some of these conditions are in turn influenced by workplace exposures, and that these factors and effects require new, systems-oriented prevention strategies;

3) growing attention to fatigue, psychosocial hazards and effects; and

4) increasing consideration of decent, sustainable and healthy work as societal goals. [2] [3]

Well-Being Defined

To better address these four contemporary factors there is need for an overarching concept such as “well-being”, that encompasses the broad range of domains in the most recent eras of OSH. In general, well-being is understood as a summative concept that characterizes the overall quality of workers’ lives (work and nonwork), including OSH aspects, and it may be a major determinant of productivity at the individual, enterprise and societal levels.[4] [5] As treated in the literature of various disciplines, well-being can be subjective, objective or a composite of the two.[6] Subjective well-being can include flourishing, happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose. Objectively, well-being is having adequate food, clothing, shelter, economic resources, and legal rights.

The threat to well-being of workers is not due just to changes in work and workplace hazards, it is also due to the interaction of work and nonwork factors.[7] Such factors as demographics, economic considerations and globalization, migration, climate change and chronic disease are drivers of current and future working conditions. To optimize well-being, there is need for a comprehensive perspective that allows full consideration of possible leverage points (direction, magnitude and causality) for producing meaningful change.[8] To achieve this, we need to understand the relationship between ‘well-being in work’ and ‘well-being in life’ in terms of directionality, magnitude and causality.

Studying Well-Being in OSH

Much of the literature on the relationship between ‘well-being in work’ and ‘well-being in life’ looks at the intersection between life satisfaction and job satisfaction.[9] [10] [11] Commonly it has involved cross-sectional studies where causal inference is generally not able to be assessed. More recently, a 2020 longitudinal study determined relationships between factors involved in job satisfaction and life satisfaction.[8]  These relationships can be bi-directional or uni-directional (life-to-work or work-to-life).

The concept of well-being can be used in OSH in a variety of ways. As shown in Figure 2, it, can be used in research, practice, and policy. To these ends, well-being can be investigated in terms of what can cause it and its impact on productivity, organizational effectiveness, and health-related outcomes. Well-being may prove to be a leading indicator of these outcomes. It can be a practical objective for employers and workers, and it can be the target of policy or an indicator of whether a policy achieves well-being.

If the concept of well-being is to be operationalized for use as an objective or a condition of workers or organizations there is a need for a way to measure it. The literature on measuring well-being is broad and provides many approaches.[12]  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a conceptual framework for worker well-being that includes five domains and 20 subdomains that have been incorporated in a survey instrument called the NIOSH WellBQ.[13] [14] The instrument may be useful as a tool for research, practice and policy development.

Using Well-being in OSH and Beyond

Ultimately, if the concept of well-being is to be used by OSH in the future there is need for the OSH field to be prepared for, and to have the capacity to use it. This preparation requires that, in the future, OSH investigators and practitioners need to have appropriate training, understanding of relevant complementary disciplines, and the readiness to think about OSH concerns from a multifactorial perspective. Three approaches to expand OSH training to address well-being can be envisioned. One pertains to increasing the knowledge base and skill sets of OSH practitioners and investigators with augmented training and systems-thinking that is inclusive of extra-organizational influences and cross-disciplinary perspectives and approaches. The second is to engage professions outside the OSH discipline to understand basic principles of OSH, expand their attention toward OSH and to develop collaborations and partnerships with OSH professionals. The third would be a combination of both.[15]  For all three approaches to focus on well-being as an outcome of OSH activity, a holistic analysis of worker health and well-being is needed.

The OSH field will need to have a more transdisciplinary focus. A transdisciplinary focus means that researchers and practitioners from different disciplines work jointly using a shared conceptual framework drawing together disciplinary-specific theories, concepts and approaches to address common problems.[15] Recognizing the need for a more holistic framework in OSH, NIOSH has initiated a new program of research under the rubric of Total Worker Health® (TWH) to better understand how conditions inside and beyond the work environment combine to influence the well-being of workers, to develop integrative prevention strategies that cross these domains to improve worker well-being, and to improve the capacity of occupational health professionals in systems approaches to OSH.[16]

While OSH professionals generally take a systematic approach to their work, how to train OSH professionals in systems-thinking and skills could be a challenge because of the multifactorial nature of so many of the contemporary and emergent OSH problems, [15] although training programs of this nature have already been initiated by some partners of the NIOSH TWH program. Systems thinking in OSH involves taking a holistic view of factors and interactions that contribute to problems, diseases, and outcomes in workers. [17]

Ideally, OSH will become part of a societal consideration that includes sustainability, climate change, decent work and a future impacted heavily by technology, all impacting work and worker well-being and requiring more expansive intervention strategies in OSH. As noted, in this scenario, researchers and practitioners conducting research and developing and implementing OSH interventions will require a broader set of skills and perspectives.[18] Psychosocial hazards in particular will likely become an even greater problem for workers and employers, necessitating additional skills and new inter-disciplinary partnerships for OSH professionals., While recognizing the increasing role of psychosocial hazards and adverse effects, the OSH field will also have to address the ongoing threats of all hazards which the current era overlaps with as shown in Figure 1, as well as new physical, chemical, and biological hazards.

Ultimately, adoption of the well-being concept in OSH will require further agreement on how to operationalize the concept and development of investigatory and intervention strategies that reach beyond the workplace. It is important to guard against blaming the workers for poor well-being outcomes and to consider privacy and confidentiality concerns when addressing non-work characteristics. Additionally, because some interventions necessary to address the well-being of workers may be outside the control of the workplace, broader society-level policies, changes in personal choice-making, clinical services, and health promotion interventions will be necessary to affect well-being in these instances.

Moving Forward

Critical in the evolution of OSH (from a labor to more of a public health perspective) will be the need to address not only hazards in work and elsewhere as they relate to worker well-being, but also lack of workers’ opportunity in terms of unemployment and underemployment. The technological displacement of workers is a growing issue and one that will affect the workforce into the future. The impact of underemployment and unemployment on well-being has been richly described; however, in the future it may become more significant. Intervention to address this will be a challenge for OSH. The field will have to evolve to address lack of employment opportunity as a hazard to workers by adopting a more public health approach to worker health. Additionally, the OSH field may have to think not only of hazards to workers, but hazards to, and characteristics of the workforce, and the health and welfare of workers’ families (Figure 3). Strategies to affect all or parts of the workforce will be of critical importance. Both of these new focal areas for OSH are well beyond historical practices and perspectives. However, they ultimately tie to worker well-being and a more broadly prepared field of OSH professionals would ideally be well-positioned to pivot, evolve, and envision solutions and quickly implement them.

Figure 3

 

Paul A. Schulte, Ph.D., is the Director of the NIOSH Division of Science Integration.

Steven L. Sauter, Ph.D., is a consultant to the NIOSH Total Worker Health program.

The authors thank David DeJoy, Kent Anger, Casey Chosewood, Anita Schill, Chia-Chia Chang for review comments and Vanessa Williams and Nicole Romero for assistance on the figures and Jo Ann Norton for processing.

This blog is part of a series for the NIOSH 50th Anniversary. Stay up to date on how we’re celebrating NIOSH’s 50th Anniversary on our website.

Footnotes

* These eras represent the authors’ interpretation of occupational safety and health history based on supporting literature. See Melling and Carter (2012) [19] for further discussion.

“Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, ability to organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.” ILO [20]

‡See the 2012 WHO report on the importance of health, safety, and well-being at work.[21]

References

1. Black C. [2008]. Working for a healthier tomorrow. London England: The Stationary Office.

2. Burton J [2010]. Healthy workplaces: a model of action for employers, workers, policy-makers and practitioners. Geneva Switzerland: World Health Organizations.

3.  Howard J.  Nonstandard work arrangements and worker heath and safety. Am J Ind Med 60 (1): 1-10, 2017.

4. Schulte PA, Vainio H [2010]. Well-being at work – overview and perspective. Scan J Work Environ Health 36(5):422-429.

5. Gervais R, Buffet M-A, Liddle M, Eekelaert L [2019]. Well-being at work: creating a positive work environment. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

6. Schulte, PA, Guerin RJ, Scholl AL, Bhattacharya A, Cunningham TA, Pandalai S, Eggerth D, Stephenson CM. [2015]. Considerations for incorporating “well-being” in public policy for workers and workplaces. AJPH, August 0015; 106 (f) 31_e44, https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302616#.

7.  Schulte PA, Pandalai S, Wulsin V, Chun K.  Interaction of occupational and personal risk factors in workforce health and safety.  Am J Public Health 102; 434-448, 2012. Pls let me know if you have further questions.

8.  Weziak-Bialowolski D, Bialowolski P, Luigi Sacco, VanderWeele TJ, McNeely E [2020]. Well-being in life and well-being at work: which comes first? Evidence from a longitudinal study. Front. Public Health. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00103/full

9.  Bowling NA, Eschleman KJ, Wang Q [2010]. A meta-analytic examination of the relationship between job satisfaction and subjective well-being. J Occup Organ Psychol.  83:915–34. doi: 10.1348/096317909X478557.

10.  Judge TA, Watanabe S [1993]. Another look at the job satisfaction-life satisfaction relationship. J Appl Psychol 78:939-948. Doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.78.6.939.

11.  Rain JS, Lane IM, Steiner DD [1991]. A current look at the job satisfaction/life satisfaction relationship: review and future considerations. Human Relations. (1991) 44:287–307. doi: 10.1177/001872679104400305.

12.  Cooke PJ, Melchart TP, Connor K [2016]. Measuring well-being: a review of instruments. The counseling psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000016633507.

13.  Chari R, Chang C-C, Sauter SL, Petrun Sayers EL, Cerully JL, Schulte PA, Scholl AL, Uscher-Pines L [2018]. Expanding the paradigm of occupational safety and health: a new framework for worker well-being. JOEM 60:921-929.

14.  NIOSH [2021]. NIOSH worker well-being questionnaire (WellBQ). By Chari R, Chang CC, Sauter SL, Petrun Sayers EL, Huang W, Fisher GG. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2021-110 (revised 5/2021), https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2021110revised52021

15. Schulte PA, Delclos G, Felknor SA, Chosewood LC [2019]. Toward an expanded focus for occupational safety and health. Int J Environ Res and Public Health 16, 4946; DOI:10.3901/jerph 16244946.

16. Hudson HL, Nigam JAS, Sauter SL, Chosewood LC, Schill AL, Howard J [2019]. Total Worker Health. American Psychological Association Washington D.C. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000149-000

17.  Carey G, Malbon E, Carey N, Joyce A, Crammond B, Carey A [2015]. Systems science and systems thinking for public health: a systematic review of the field. BMJ open. 5(12):e009002. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009002.

18.  Schulte PA, Streit JMK, Sheriff F, Delclos G, Felknor SA, Tamers SL, Fendinger S, Grosch J, Sala R [2020]. Potential scenarios and hazards in the work of the future: A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature and gray literatures. Ann Work Exp and Health 1-31. Doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa051.

19. Melling J, Carter T [2012]. Donald Hunter and history of occupational health: precedents and perspectives. In Baxter ed al (eds) Hunter’s diseases of occupations. Pp5-23. https://doi.org/10.1201/b13467

20. International Labour Organization. Decent Work. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/decent-work/lang–en/index.htm

21. Kim, P. [2012]. WHO and well-being at work. Presentation well-being at work 2012. Manchester UK May 21, 2012. https://www.hsl.gov.uk/media/202146/5_kim_who.pdf

 

 

 

Posted on by Paul A. Schulte, Ph.D., and Steve L. Sauter, Ph.D.

70 comments on “Work and Well-being: The Changing Face of Occupational Safety and Health”

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    strongly agree, health and safety at work is a priority that must be owned by someonem. Btw iam from indonesian

    Great article share thanks for information. Strongly agree, health and safety at work is a priority that must be owned by someones.

    I think health and occupation is a relevant topic to talk about, since, I’ve seen these two things collide with each other. Working while being best at your health is hard these days due to diversity of working style in out country. Some people work at places where more physical movement is demanded. For young people it isn’t that bad but, for people over 40 it gets a little difficult to work. I think to avoid health problems due to work after 40’s, jobs opportunities should be changed. Since, younger people are more energetic, they should have job opportunities related with physical work, whereas, people who develop poor health condition over time should be provided jobs that require less physical activity.

    101℅ agree with your thoughts and idea. Good bless you.

    Will read more like this…..
    Thanks

    Thank you for your post sharing with us. Really it’s a very helpful post. Hope everybody will be benefited from your post.

    I think this is very informative, but there are a few things I’m afraid I have to disagree with. Even so, it is an additional insight for me.

    Thank you for your post and sharing it with us. it’s a very helpful post. Hope everybody will be benefited from your post.

    Such a very Impressive Article . i got more useful information thanks for sharing it with us

    Great article share thanks for information. Strongly agree, health and safety at work is a priority that must be owned by someone.

    indeed in a job, a very important factor is work safety. This of course must be accompanied by a certificate of competence on work safety. In Indonesia, it must be owned by every employee, especially employees in oil and mining

    Completely agree. This is why we approach everything in our company in balance. More than anything, we let our employees rest, and when they feel overwhelmed, we grant them leave.

    Thank you for your post sharing with us. Really it’s a very helpful post. Hope everybody will be benefited from your post.

    Nice article and Very Informative. I think health and occupation is a relevant topic to talk about, since, I’ve seen these two things collide with each other. Working while being best at your health is hard these days due to diversity of working style in out country.

    very very useful article and Very Informative. I think health and occupation is a relevant topic to talk about, since, I’ve seen these two things collide with each other. Working while being best at your health is hard these days due to diversity of working style in out country.thank you

    La salud y el trabajo es un tema delicado y hay que saberlo manejar.
    Hay que hilar despacio.

    From Google Translate:
    Health and work is a sensitive issue and you have to know how to handle it.
    You have to spin slowly.

    Completely agree. This is why we approach everything in our company in balance. More than anything, we let our employees rest, and when they feel overwhelmed, we grant them leave.

    Hey
    Thank you for the informative post.
    After the COVID thing, from the day, we started WFH, we all almost forget about the well being so it is necessary to have a full knowledge how to be balance your life and work.

    Thank you.

    This article sheds light on other aspects of well-being in regards to the workplace that are very rarely touched upon. The most interesting one to me is external work factors – alcohol and drug use, aging, chronic disease – I’d even include family/living dynamics at home.

    An employee can come to work and do their job but you have no idea what’s going on in their personal lives that may affect their true well-being as a human. Perhaps they are living in a loud environment, don’t get any sleep and require sleep medication. Or they live in a dangerous neighborhood and have to carry self defense weapons for protection which increases their stress.

    I like the discussion about well-being at work and well-being at life. Are people fulfilled if they are not doing work that aligns with something purposeful in their lives? Can well-being at work truly align with well-being in life if you are working for a company or someone else and don’t get full say on your role and objectives? Perhaps some people can, but I venture that it’s very challenging for most. At the end of the day, a job is a job that pays the bills, and sadly the employee, and the employer, understand this.

    This article provides an insightful overview of the evolution of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) with a particular focus on the emerging emphasis on workers’ well-being. I commend the inclusion of broader societal factors such as sustainability and climate change, that indirectly but significantly impact worker well-being. The notion of well-being encompassing not just physical safety but also psychosocial aspects, underemployment, and the influence of non-work factors reflects the complexity of contemporary work environments. As OSH evolves to address these facets, the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and a systems-thinking approach cannot be overstated. This comprehensive perspective promises to pave the way for healthier workplaces and a more holistic approach to worker health and productivity.

    Wow, what an insightful blog post! As someone who has always prioritized both my work and well-being, it’s refreshing to see a topic that hits close to home. The evolving landscape of occupational safety and health is something we can’t ignore, especially with the changing dynamics of the modern workplace.

    The way you highlighted the importance of striking a balance between work and well-being resonated deeply with me. It’s not just about physical safety anymore; mental and emotional well-being are equally vital. Our workplaces should be nurturing environments that encourage growth, productivity, and, most importantly, happiness.

    I particularly appreciated your emphasis on the role of employers in promoting a healthy work environment. I am a Call Center owner and when employers prioritize the well-being of their employees, it fosters a positive culture that leads to increased job satisfaction and overall productivity. After all, a happy employee is a productive employee!

    It’s fascinating how technology has both facilitated and challenged the field of occupational safety and health. On one hand, it has revolutionized workplace practices, allowing for remote work and flexible schedules. On the other hand, it has introduced new risks and challenges that we need to address proactively.

    Overall, this blog post has shed light on a crucial aspect of our lives. It’s a wake-up call for both employers and employees to recognize the significance of work-life balance and well-being. Let’s continue the conversation and strive for workplaces that not only keep us safe but also promote our holistic well-being. Great job!

    Occupational safety and health is very important . Especially in developing countries common safety guidelines in any occupation are not properly followed. This piece of information is very beneficial. Thanks

    I really enjoyed reading your blog post about work and well-being. I agree that it is important to find a balance between work and personal life, and that both can contribute to our overall well-being.

    I found your point about the importance of having a sense of purpose in our work to be particularly interesting. I think that when we feel like our work is meaningful, it can make a big difference in our overall happiness and satisfaction.

    I also appreciated your suggestions for how to improve work-life balance. I think that setting boundaries, taking breaks, and making time for relaxation are all important things that we can do to improve our well-being.

    Thanks for sharing your insights!

    This blog post sheds light on a crucial and often overlooked aspect of occupational safety and health – the interconnectedness of work, health, and overall well-being. It’s a perspective that resonates with Dame Carol Black’s insight that these elements are tightly intertwined and must be collectively addressed.

    The authors highlight a fascinating progression through distinct eras in the history of occupational safety and health. From foundational concepts to the emerging focus on total worker health and well-being, the evolution is marked by evolving societal norms, changing work environments, and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.

    The modern era, starting in the early 2000s, has brought about a paradigm shift in how we perceive work-related health and well-being. Factors like rapidly changing work dynamics, external influences such as health behaviors and pandemics, and the recognition of psychosocial hazards, fatigue, and stress-related disorders have pushed the boundaries of traditional occupational safety considerations.

    Moreover, the concept of “decent, sustainable, and healthy work” reflects a forward-thinking approach that aligns workplace goals with broader societal aspirations. This evolving perspective acknowledges the significance of fostering environments where employees not only thrive but contribute to a larger vision of a healthier and more sustainable society.

    As we navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, it’s crucial to recognize that a holistic approach to occupational safety and health is essential. By integrating well-being into the conversation, we move closer to a comprehensive understanding of how work impacts individuals and society as a whole. This thought-provoking article invites us to contemplate the evolving landscape of occupational well-being and consider innovative strategies to ensure the health and vitality of the workforce.

    This thought-provoking analysis sheds light on the evolution of occupational safety and health (OSH) and the often overlooked aspect of well-being. It is intriguing to see how the concept of well-being has been gradually integrated into the OSH framework over time. This article offers valuable historical context and raises important questions about the future of work and the significance of well-being in creating sustainable and thriving workplaces. An insightful read indeed! 👍

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