Premium
Trouble in transit: Organizational barriers to workers’ health
Author(s) -
Bowles Nicole P.,
McEwen Bruce S.,
BoutinFoster Carla
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22701
Subject(s) - distrust , grounded theory , medicine , psychological intervention , qualitative research , workplace bullying , work environment , work (physics) , transit (satellite) , public relations , job satisfaction , applied psychology , social psychology , nursing , public transport , psychology , sociology , transport engineering , engineering , social science , mechanical engineering , political science , psychotherapist
Background Valuable insights on the health and behavior of transit workers can be obtained from qualitative research that considers the social environment, which affects job performance and determines levels of perceived stress. Methods Using a grounded theory approach, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with American transit workers (n = 32). Recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a constant comparative method. Results Participants described categories related to entrenched organizational practices, particularly managements’ leadership style, which created an atmosphere of distrust. High demanding work schedules, as a result of technological advances, were discussed in relation to diminished breaks, fatigue, and unhealthy diets. Transit workers also attributed increased work demands and irregular working hours to compromised time with family and friends. Conclusions The described barriers to positive health behaviors and social support underscore the need for interventions that ensure adequate breaks and recovery between shifts and increase safety for transit passengers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:350–367, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.