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Relationship Between Occupational Safety and Health Policy Principles, Organizational Action on Work-related Stress and the Psychosocial Work Environment in Italy

Leka, Stavroula; Torres, Luis; Jain, Aditya; Di Tecco, Cristina; Russo, Simone; Iavicoli, Sergio

Relationship Between Occupational Safety and Health Policy Principles, Organizational Action on Work-related Stress and the Psychosocial Work Environment in Italy Thumbnail


Authors

Stavroula Leka

ADITYA JAIN ADITYA.JAIN@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Sustainable Work and Development

Cristina Di Tecco

Simone Russo

Sergio Iavicoli



Abstract

Background: It is acknowledged that legislation acts as a motivator for organizational action on psychosocial risks. Our study aims to provide evidence on the relationship between key occupational safety and health (OSH) policy principles and organizational action on work-related stress, and, in turn, with reported employee job demands and resources and their experience of work-related stress. We focus on Italy where specific legislation and practices on work-related stress were introduced in 2008 which are underpinned by these key OSH policy principles. Methods: Secondary analysis of the Italian samples from the employer ESENER-2 and employee 6th EWCS surveys was conducted, using path analysis in structural equation modelling (SEM) linking the two datasets. Results: We found a strong statistically significant relationship between OSH policy principles and organizational action on work-related stress (C.I. = .62-.78 p<.001). The existence of an organizational action plan on work-related stress was found to be significantly associated with more reported job resources (C.I.= .02-.24, p<.05) but these were not found to be significantly associated with less work-related stress. No significant association was found between having an organizational action plan for work-related stress and reported job demands. However, job demands were significantly related to reported work-related stress (C.I.= .27-.47, p<.001). Conclusions: Findings add support to the call for specific legislation on work-related psychosocial risks and highlight how an organizational OSH culture underpinned by key OSH principles, and awareness/competence development on psychosocial risk management can have a positive effect on organizational action. However, further support needs to be provided to organizations around developing primary prevention interventions at the organizational level with the aim of reducing job demands.

Citation

Leka, S., Torres, L., Jain, A., Di Tecco, C., Russo, S., & Iavicoli, S. (in press). Relationship Between Occupational Safety and Health Policy Principles, Organizational Action on Work-related Stress and the Psychosocial Work Environment in Italy. Safety and Health at Work, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.001

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 3, 2023
Online Publication Date Oct 5, 2023
Deposit Date Nov 20, 2023
Publicly Available Date Nov 22, 2023
Journal Safety and Health at Work
Print ISSN 2093-7911
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2023.10.001
Keywords ESENER; EWCS; Italy; OSH policy principles; Psychosocial risks
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27587687