Policies, Guidelines, and Practices Supporting Women’s Menstruation, Menstrual Disorders and Menopause at Work: A Critical Global Scoping Review (2023)

This research paper reviewed global evidence relating to interventions aimed at supporting women to manage menstruation, menstrual disorders and menopause at work, and how this impacts their career trajectories. More than 60 publications were reviewed and found very few workplace policies dealt with menstrual issues. Less half presented an intervention related to women’s workplace health. There was also a lack of co-design and almost none of the polices or guidelines had been evaluated.

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Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with sickness absence and work ability (2023)

This study explored whether moderate to vigorous physical activity may sustain the physical aspect of work ability, despite health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders and anxiety, which can lead to low productivity. It found that high cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with decreased all-cause sickness absence days and improved work ability.

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Wellbeing measures for workers: a systematic review and methodological quality appraisal (2023)

This Australia/NZ research summarises the strengths and weakneses a selection of different tools used between 2010 and 2020 to measure workers' wellbeing. Of the 18 anaylsed, only 2 were rated 'Very Good' and 3 were identified as having the greatest number of positively rated measurement properties. All had gaps in their construction or design

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Factors that may threaten or protect the wellbeing of staff working in paediatric intensive care environments (2023)

The results of this research identified perceived risks for wellbeing, including; a lack of preparation for the role, perceived worst shift, moral distress and isolation. Themes perceived as protective to wellbeing included; finding the work stimulating and meaningful, belonging to the team, and using humour. This study suggests risk factors often co-existed simultaneously with protective factors and not as a dichotomy.

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Effects of Whole-Body Stretching Exercise during Lunch Break for Reducing Musculoskeletal Pain and Physical Exertion among Healthcare Professionals (2023)

Research on a group of healthcare professionals found those who undertook whole body stretching exercises targeting the entire body during a lunch break period 3 times a week for 6 weeks experienced a significantly greater decrease in pain intensity and physical exertion compared to an education program only.

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Boldly going… Introducing conflict management training to Starship Children’s Hospital (2023)

This new collaboration between Children's Hospital in NZ and UK Mediation Foundation focuses on conflict between health professionals and whānau (families) in paediatric hospitals, and is based on training staff to recognise and manage conflict as early as possible and use mediation skills to improve patient/whānau outcomes and staff wellbeing.

Continue ReadingBoldly going… Introducing conflict management training to Starship Children’s Hospital (2023)

The mental health of fly-in fly-out workers before and during COVID-19: a comparison study (2023)

Research by Curtin University and the University of Western Australia found FIFO workers had worse mental health than a matched benchmark sample pre COVID, and mental ill health and poor wellbeing were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than before. This group needs to be considered as an at-risk group for adverse mental health outcomes.

Continue ReadingThe mental health of fly-in fly-out workers before and during COVID-19: a comparison study (2023)

Working from home during the COVID 19 pandemic: a longitudinal examination of employees’ sense of community & social support & impacts on self-rated health (2023)

A recently published longitudinal Australia study Working from home (WFH) during COVID showed that a sense of community and social support in the workplace are important determinants of employees' health, and workplace strategies to improve a sense of community whilst WFH (use of online platforms to improve communication, bonding, networking) and social support are required for all employees as hybrid work arrangements become more common.

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An Integrated Approach to Workplace Mental Health: A Scoping Review of Instruments That Can Assist Organizations with Implementation

This Australian research reviews the array of instruments available to assist workplaces in implementing an integrated approach to mental health and how well they assess the 3 domains of the integrated approach. Most instruments focused on the Prevent Harm domain and only 2 instruments were relevant to all three domains.

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Moving minds: Mental health and wellbeing benefits of a 50-day workplace physical activity program

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Recent research from Deakin University assessed changes in mental health and wellbeing measures across a 50-day, 10,000-step daily, physical activity workplace program. Results showed good program engagement, and significant improvements in anxiety, wellbeing and sleep-related impairment.

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