Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine

ObjectiveWe examined whether teleworking preference and frequency were associated with work functioning impairment. MethodsThis online cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among 27,036 full-time Japanese workers. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale was used to measure work functioning impairment, and we performed multilevel logistic regression analysis. ResultsHigher odds ratios for work functioning impairment were observed among employees who preferred to telework compared with those who preferred working in the workplace. A similar trend was observed among employees who teleworked 4 or more days a week compared with those who almost never teleworked. When teleworking preference and frequency were adjusted, only teleworking preference was associated with work functioning impairment. ConclusionsA preference for teleworking was associated with work functioning impairment and one factor that increased the teleworking frequency.

IntroductionThis study aims to examine the job satisfaction of occupational safety experts working in Joint Health and Safety Units (JHSUs) in Turkiye, and to identify the associated factors, including perceived competence, workload, support, and training. MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in September 2024 using an online questionnaire. A total of 102 occupational safety experts participated. The survey included sociodemographic questions, the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Chi-square, post-hoc power, and regression analyses were used to explore associations between variables and job satisfaction. ResultsThe findings indicated that mental wellbeing, perceived competence, managerial support, and the ability to fulfill job requirements were significantly associated with higher job satisfaction. Perceived adequacy of training and concerns about job security also played a role. Despite expectations, increasing years of experience and certification class did not correspond with increased job satisfaction, suggesting that experience alone may not enhance perceived competence. The overall sample was skewed toward more experienced and highly engaged professionals, with underrepresentation of C class certified experts. ConclusionThe study provides insights into factors influencing job satisfaction among occupational safety experts and highlights the role of psychological and organizational dynamics beyond demographic characteristics. The findings underline the need for targeted strategies to improve training quality, support mechanisms, and working conditions. Furthermore, such research contributes to a broader understanding of how differing national OHS practices impact the job satisfaction and competencies of safety professionals.

BackgroundThe world of work is undergoing profound changes towards agile, flexible, democratic, and digital forms of work, so called New Work (NW). The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these changes and confronted the working world with new challenges. Effects on employee health are ambivalent and remain unclear. Moreover, there is a lack of evidence as to whether existing occupational health management (OHM) measures meet the needs of employees working in new forms of work. Methods/DesignThis prospective mixed-method project will include four substudies to identify different NW forms, resulting health risk, benefits and protective factors in subgroups, and derive target group-specific OHM services. In the four substudies, the following methods will be used: (1) a scoping review, semi-standardized interviews, and an online survey, (2) a systematic review, an online survey, an expert workshop and qualitative interviews, (3) workplace observations, and (4) expert workshops. Recommendations for action will be derived from the findings of all substudies and summarized in a checklist for OHM in NW settings. ConclusionFindings will expand the state of knowledge about NW settings and associated health effects. The development of an evidence-based checklist for target group-specific identification of NW settings and associated health risks, benefits and protective factors can be used as a basis for action regarding OHM in companies. The findings can provide guidance on how future OHM services should be designed to meet the needs of employees.

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of burnout and occupational stress (OS) among couriers and to identify the main risk factors. MethodWe followed PRISMA guidelines to search studies published in English and Chinese databases before February 2022. ResultsThe search yielded 15 (7 English and 8 Chinese) papers, 12 of which studied Chinese couriers, and three studied French, Israeli and Malaysian couriers. Twelve studies reported OS using various validated measurement tools, and six reported burnout using adapted versions of Maslach Burnout Inventory. Only four included studies suggested cut-off points to define the condition, hence we used the midpoint of the scales to estimate the prevalence (the proportion of the cases that were above the midpoint). The estimated prevalence of burnout (or a dimension of burnout) among couriers ranged from 20% to 73% (median=33%). The prevalence of OS (or a dimension of OS) ranged from 7% to 90% (median=40%). Twelve studies reported risk factors for burnout or OS; the main ones were physical demands, customer behaviour and a range of working and employment conditions, such as employment precarity and financial insecurity. Job resources (i.e. social support and decision latitude) and organizational support had mitigating effects. ConclusionsBurnout and OS are relatively high among couriers. Interventions to prevent or reduce burnout in this occupation are currently limited. The use of platform technology to shift risks, intensify work and tighten managerial controls could be a potential work-related stressor for app-based couriers but remains a knowledge gap.

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic impacted the physical and mental health of Brazilian workers, especially those who started acting in home-office. Changes in the workplace, increased physical inactivity and fear of contracting the disease, known as coronophobia, may be related to increased musculoskeletal pain. ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and coronophobia in home-office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as evaluating the relationship between these variables. MethodA cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study with 736 participants was conducted through online questionnaire. Sociodemographic data, working conditions, pain, besides the evaluation of coronophobia using COVID-19 Phobia scale (C19P-S) and pain with the Nordic questionnaire of osteomuscular symptoms (NMQ) were collected. ResultsMost participants were female (78%), with an average age of 32.8 {+/-} 10.7 years. During the pandemic, 71% reported some osteomuscular symptoms, and of these, 64% began to have new paintings of pain in the pandemic, with higher incidence in the lower back and neck. Participants who began to perform their functions in home-office presented a higher incidence of pain and, among them, 53% reported that the furniture was not suitable for homework. Most had little fear of Covid-19, but moderate levels of coronophobia increased the chance of musculoskeletal pain (RP=1,74; IC 95%). There was a significant association between coronophobia and musculoskeletal pain. ConclusionsThe pandemic raised the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, especially in cervical and lumba regions, and the fear of Covid-19 influenced this relationship.

ObjectivesThis prospective study aimed to examine the association of job demands, job control, and the lack of supervisor and coworker support with side effects after receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of employees in Japan. MethodsThe data were retrieved from an online panel of full-time employees (E- COCO- J). The analysis included participants who were employed and were not vaccinated at baseline (June 2021) but received vaccination at a four-month follow-up (October 2021). An 11-item scale measured the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. Four types of psychosocial working conditions (i.e., job demands, job control, and supervisor and coworker support) were measured using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between the psychosocial working conditions and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, adjusting for gender, age, educational attainment, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, dose of vaccination, anxiety from potential side effects of vaccines, fear and worry about COVID-19, and psychological distress at baseline. ResultsOverall, 747 employees were included in the analysis. The average number of side effects was 3.78 (SD=2.19): Arm pain (81.1%), fatigues (64.1%), muscle pains (63.3%), and fever (37.5 degrees Celsius +) (53.5%) were reported more frequently. Coworker support score was significantly and negatively associated with the numbers of side effects (standardized {beta}=-0.122, p=0.017). Women, young age, second time vaccination, and high psychological distress were significantly associated with several side effects. ConclusionsEmployees with low coworker support may be more likely to have side effects after COVID-19 vaccinations. The findings of this study could inform employees with low coworker support that increasing workplace support may reduce the side effects. Highlights The effect of poor psychosocial working conditions on side effects after COVID-19 vaccinations was unknown. Poor coworker support at baseline was significantly associated with increased side effects after COVID-19 vaccinations. Informing workers with low coworker support about the findings may help them prepare for the side effect and motivate them to improve coworker support to reduce side effects.

IntroductionWith the global spread of COVID-19, there is a compelling public health interest in quantifying who is at increased risk of disease. Occupational characteristics, such as interfacing with the public and being in close quarters with other workers, not only put workers at high risk for disease, but also make them a nexus of disease transmission to the community. This can further be exacerbated through presenteeism, the term used to describe the act of coming to work despite being symptomatic for disease. Understanding which occupational groups are exposed to infection and disease in the workplace can help to inform public health risk response and management for COVID-19, and subsequent infectious disease outbreaks. MethodsTo estimate the burden of United States workers exposed to infection and disease in the workplace, national employment data (by Standard Occupational Classification) maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was merged with BLS O*NET survey data, which ranks occupations with particular physical, ergonomic, and structural exposures. For this analysis, occupations reporting exposure to infection or disease more than once a month was the focus. ResultsBased on our analyses, approximately 10% (14.4 M) of United States workers are employed in occupations where exposure to disease or infection occurs at least once per week. Approximately 18.4% (26.7 M) of all United States workers are employed in occupations where exposure to disease or infection occurs at least once per month. While the majority of exposed workers are employed in healthcare sectors, other occupational sectors also have high proportions of exposed workers. These include protective service occupations (e.g. police officers, correctional officers, firefighters), office and administrative support occupations (e.g. couriers and messengers, patient service representatives), education occupations (e.g. preschool and daycare teachers), community and social services occupations (community health workers, social workers, counselors), and even construction and extraction occupations (e.g. plumbers, septic tank installers, elevator repair). ConclusionsThe large number of persons employed in a wide variety of occupations with frequent exposure to infection and disease underscore the importance of all workplaces developing risk response plans for COVID-19. This work also serves as an important reminder that the workplace is a key locus for public health interventions, which could protect both workers and the communities they serve.

ObjectivesThe pandemic of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has created a challenging environment for workers. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for workplace bullying and mental health outcomes during the pandemic among workers. MethodsWe conducted a nationwide online cross-sectional survey from August to September 2020 in Japan (N = 16,384). Workplace bullying was measured by one item from the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire; severe psychological distress (SPD) by K6 ([≥]13); and suicidal ideation by one item. Prevalence ratios were calculated by Poisson regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders such as gender, age, occupational characteristics, and a prior history of depression. ResultsOverall, 15% of workers experienced workplace bullying, 9% had SPD, and 12% had suicidal ideation during the second and third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. The results of this study showed men, executives, managers, and permanent employees had a higher risk of bullying compared to women or part-time workers. Increased physical and psychological demands were common risk factors for bullying, SPD, and suicidal ideation. Newly starting working from home was a significant predictor for adverse mental health outcomes, however, it was found to be a preventive factor against workplace bullying. ConclusionsThe results of this study found different high-risk groups for bullying or mental health during the pandemic. When intervening to decrease workplace bullying or mental health problems, we should focus on not only previously reported vulnerable workers but also workers who experienced a change of their working styles or job demands. Key messagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known about this subject?C_ST_ABSO_LIWorkplace bullying is one of the severe job stressors in the workplace that cause mental health problems. C_LIO_LIHealth care workers, less-educated workers, and non-regular female workers have been reported to have greater psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. C_LI What are the new findings?O_LIAbout 15% of workers experienced workplace bullying, 9% had SPD, and 12% had suicidal ideation during the pandemic in Japan. C_LIO_LIMen, executives, managers, and permanent workers had a higher risk of bullying compared to women or part-time workers. C_LIO_LIIncreased physical or psychological demands were common risk factors for bullying, SPD, and suicidal ideation. C_LIO_LIWhile newly starting working from home was a preventive factor against workplace bullying, it was found to be a significant risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes. C_LI How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?O_LIThe results of this study indicate a different pattern of high-risk groups for bullying or mental health during the pandemic. C_LIO_LIWhen intervening to decrease workplace bullying or mental health problems, we should focus on not only previously reported vulnerable workers but also workers who experienced a change of their working styles or job demands. C_LI

ObjectivesTo investigate SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) infection and exposure risks among grocery retail workers, and to investigate their mental health state during the pandemic. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2020 in a single grocery retail store in Massachusetts, USA. We assessed workers personal/occupational history and perception of COVID-19 by questionnaire. The health outcomes were measured by nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7) and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). ResultsAmong 104 workers tested, twenty-one (20%) had positive viral assays. Seventy-six percent positive cases were asymptomatic. After multi-variate adjustments, employees with direct customer exposure had an odds of 4.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 32.0) being tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while smokers had an odds of 0.1 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.8) having positive assay. As to mental health, the prevalence of anxiety and depression (i.e. GAD-7 score > 4 or PHQ-9 score >4) was 24% and 8%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, those able to practice social distancing consistently at work had odds of 0.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.7) and 0.1 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.6) screening positive for anxiety and depression, respectively. ConclusionsWe found a considerable asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among grocery workers. Employees with direct costumer exposure were 5 times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2, while cigarette smokers were 90% less likely to have positive assays. Those able to practice social distancing consistently at work had significantly lower risk of anxiety or depression.

BackgroundLittle is known about the distribution of specific sites where occupational falls frequently occur within the workplace. This study aimed to examine the distribution of occupational falls by sites of occurrence in Japan. MethodsNational data of occupational falls resulting in absences of four or more days in 2023 were extracted from a website managed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Fall sites were classified as either outdoor or indoor. Indoor sites were further categorized as walkways, work platforms/walking planks, indoor stairs, or other sites. Walkways and work platforms/walking planks were defined as indoor level surfaces. The distribution of occupational fall by sites was described. ResultsAmong all occupational falls, 63.2% occurred at indoor sites (22,780/36,058). The most frequently reported site was indoor level surfaces, accounting for 49.0%, while indoor stairs accounted for 5.9%. When stratified by sex, 65.9% occurred at indoor sites among female workers while 59.0% occurred among male workers. The difference was largely attributable to a higher proportion of falls on indoor level surfaces among females (52.7% in females and 43.5% in males). ConclusionsIn Japan, a substantial proportion of occupational falls occurred at indoor sites, particularly on indoor level surfaces.

Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic thousands of people have experienced teleworking and this practice is becoming increasingly commonplace. Systematic reviews can yield evidence and information to help inform the development of policies and regulations, the aim of this study was to highlight the differences in exposure to psychosocial risk factors for health between part-time and full-time teleworking from home. The protocol of the systematic review of the literature was registered on PROSPERO 2020 platform - International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number CRD42020191455), according to the PRISMA statement guidelines. The key words "telework" and frequency ("part-time" or "full-time"), together with their synonyms and variations, were searched. Independent researchers conducted the systematic search of 7 databases: Scopus, SciELO, PePSIC; PsycInfo, PubMed, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) and Web of Science. Of the 638 articles identified from 2010 to June 2021, 32 were selected for data extraction. The authors evaluated the risk of bias and quality of evidence of the studies included using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The results were categorized into 7 dimensions of psychosocial risk factors: work intensity and working hours; emotional demands; autonomy; social relationships at work; conflict of values, work insecurity and home/work interface. The results revealed scant practice of full-time teleworking prior to the pandemic. Regarding the psychosocial risk factors found, differences were evident before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For part-time and full-time telework prior to the pandemic, the dimensions of intensification of work and working hours, social relationships at work, and the home-work interface were the most prominent factors. However, in studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic where teleworking was mostly performed full-time, there was an increase in focus on emotional demands and the home-work interface, and a reduction in the other dimensions.

AimTo describe the protocol for a systematic review of etiology and risk to identify the etiological factors of Risk for Occupational Illness in nursing professionals. DesignEtiology and risk review protocol, conducted according to JBI guidelines. MethodsThis is an etiology and risk review protocol to be carried out following the JBI guidelines in the following data sources: CINAHL, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, National Institute of Security and Health at Work and National Institute of Health at Work. The inclusion criteria are studies that address workers aged 18 years until retirement, demonstrate etiological factors that condition the susceptibility of the ND in question and address analyses regarding the identification, definition and association of factors with the Risk of Occupational Illness. The exclusion criteria are studies that did not address the topic, opinion articles, letters to the editor and editorials. Expected ResultsThe results of this review will be publicly disclosed in scientific journals in the health area and will contribute to increasing the level of evidence of the Nursing Diagnosis Risk for Occupational Illness, so that they remain in future editions of NANDA International and that the diagnosis is updated and revised based on the current scientific literature. ConclusionIt is expected identify the possible uses of the concept; determine the essential critical attributes; identify the antecedents and consequences of the concept; and define the empirical references and to highlight the etiological factors that are consistent with susceptibility to occupational illness. Strengths and limitations of this studyO_LIThis study will review the scientific literature on the etiological factors of Risk for Occupational Illness in nursing professionals, providing an increase in the level of evidence for this Diagnosis; C_LIO_LIThe steps of this review will be followed strictly in accordance with the criteria of the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis; C_LIO_LITo avoid selection bias, data collection will occur independently with active blinding of researchers, who will use software to export and select data. C_LI

We aim to conduct a prospective cohort study to benchmark occupational health and safety in Japan. Here, we describe the detailed protocol for the baseline survey based on the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. We conducted the baseline survey for the prospective cohort study in 2022. Our target population was workers in Japan aged 20 years or older, who we sampled to be representative of the Japanese workforce, stratified by sex, age, and region. Among 59,272 registered monitors who answered the initial screening questions, 29,997 completed the survey. After excluding 2,304 invalid responses, we used 27,693 valid participants in our final analysis. The number and mean age of men were 15,201 (55%) and 46 years; those of women were 12,492 (45%) and 45 years. With respect to sex, age, and regional composition, our sampling was representative of Japans working population. Our sampling for employment status and industry yielded almost the same proportions as a government-led representative sampling of workers in Japan.

BackgroundSubstance use and mental disorders are highly prevalent in Thai homeless people living with no mental health recovery. The lack of psychosocial occupational therapists may be one huge problem for none of the measurement outcomes for clinical utility. We aimed to determine the known-group validity of the Assessment of Work Performance (AWP) with good content and internal consistency reliability. MethodsParticipants (N = 60) were recruited by screening with no cognitive impairment, no psychiatric symptoms, independent self-care, and on-the-job assignment at Nonthaburis destitute home. Mann-Whitney U tests firstly found a significant difference in process skills between males and females (p < .05). Data analysis of the ceiling effect was then conducted to design using cleaned samples (N = 22), and the Mann-Whitney U tests secondly found a significant difference in communication skills between males and females (p < .05). ResultsThere were no associations between the frequency of genders and substance abusers were computed using cross-tabulation (N = 60 versus N = 22). Besides a corrected sample, natural contexts of too easy job selection, no preparatory of supported employment, and non-purposeful living activities may be confounding factors of avolition, poor habit, and inactive life roles without wellness at the end of life. ConclusionThese preliminary results suggest a useful AWP with good known-group validity for measuring outcomes among vulnerable people and describing how to improve motor, process, and interactive communication skills based on the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) in occupational therapists and Mental Health Recovery (MHR) workers.

ObjectiveAt present, there are relatively few studies on the burnout of young doctors in China. This study can enrich the relationship between work pressure, cognitive evaluation(benign and stress)and burnout among young doctors, and help to understand the current situation of burnout among young doctors. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 116 young doctors from different departments to collect data on career motivation, work stress, cognitive evaluation and burnout. Result(1)The work pressure of young doctors has a predictive effect on burnout.(2)The primary evaluation of young doctors has an independent effect on burnout.(3)The 116 young doctors surveyed in this article are all at a high level of burnout. Conclusion(1)The work pressure of young doctors has a predictive effect on job burnout. Effective intervention on pay-reward can further reduce the sense of burnout of young doctors and reduce occupational stress.(2)The primary evaluation of young doctors has an independent impact on burnout, and positive cognitive evaluation is beneficial to reduce the level of burnout.

IntroductionJunior physicians often face high levels of work stress, burnout, and depression, largely due to challenging work conditions. Contradictory task demands - a specific job stressor where junior physicians are expected to fulfill conflicting goals simultaneously - has received limited attention, but may significantly impact their mental health and job satisfaction. ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify key contradictory demands faced by junior physicians in specialty training and examine associations with physician health and well-being. MethodsStep-wise and multi-methods procedure comprising explorative interviews and standardized surveys. A convenience sample of junior physicians undergoing specialty training in Germany were surveyed. Thematic analyses of qualitative data as well as descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. ResultsDrawing upon seven in-depth interviews, experiences of key contradictory demands were extracted and consolidated into 19 distinct statements. 28 Survey responses were obtained with highest ratings for Non-physician activities, additional tasks versus Focus on core clinical tasks as well as General workload versus Regular working time. Associations with physicians health and well-being outcomes were moderate and inconsistent. DiscussionPreliminary results shed light on experiences of contradictory task demands in clinical work among junior physicians. A broad spectrum of potentially incompatible or conflicting demands on the job was observed. The findings underscore the complexity of the clinical work environment, where multiple conflicting demands create a particularly challenging educational and work setting for junior physicians. The results may inform tailored approaches to mitigate work stress in this professional group.

BackgroundThe nail salon industry in the US comprises mostly immigrant-owned, small mom-and-pop salons that employ primarily first-generation immigrant workers from Asia. Because of the cultural and language barriers, both owners and workers may not avail themselves of the occupational safety resources. We formed an academic-community partnership to co-design a feasibility study and multi-level occupational health intervention for Vietnamese-speaking salon owners, workers, and community-based organization. MethodsThe intervention for each salon included 1) two-hour in-person training covering chemical safety, infection control, musculoskeletal prevention, and workers rights for both the owners and their employees, 2) a tailored recommendation report for the owner, and 3) check-ins with the owners during the three-month follow-up. Community partner was trained to deliver the in-language training with technical assistance from the research team. Baseline and post-intervention individual data about health symptoms and behaviors, as well as personal chemical exposures were collected and analyzed. ResultsA total of 44 participants from 12 consented salons enrolled in the study. One salon dropped out follow-up due to change of ownership. Analysis of the differences between post-and pre-intervention showed a tendency toward reduction in self-reported symptoms in the respiratory system, skin, and eyes, neurotoxicity score, as well as some chemical exposures. We could not rule out seasonality as an explanation for these trends. Increase in self-efficacy in some areas was observed post-intervention. ConclusionsOur study demonstrated a successful academic-community partnership to engage community members in the intervention study. While the intervention effects from feasibility study should be interpreted with caution, our preliminary results indicated that our community-based intervention is a promising approach to reduce work-related exposures among nail salon worker workers from Asia.

BackgroundThe results of several projects on the effects of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been published since the outbreak of COVID-19. It is known that wearing PPE, and specifically face masks, has physcial consequences like headache and pain, which can Increase stress among nursing staff. However, none of these studies placed a focus on PPE and nursing staff, although nurses are the only members of the health care profession who are at the patients bedsides 24/7, and PPE is the only way to protect them from a COVID-19 infection. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the association between the use of PPE and stress among nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsAn online, cross-sectional survey was conducted, which we distributed using snowball sampling techniques. The questionnaire was developed on the basis of (inter-)national recommendations as well as the international literature. We used the perceived level of stress scale to measure the nursing staff members stress levels. ResultsWe included data collected from 2600 nurses in this analysis. Nearly all nursing staff wore face masks. We showed that more than two-thirds of the nurses had moderate to high levels of stress. No statistically significant association between the use of PPE and stress was detected. However, we show a statistically significant association between the duration of mask usage and stress. Discussion and conclusionsNearly all participating nurses wore face masks or FFP masks to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection. This observation might indicate that Austrian nurses display a high level of compliance with national and international regulations and play a key role in such pandemics. Our results also show that increased mask-wearing time led to increased stress levels. These results suggest that (international regulations on how and when to use PPE should include a maximum duration of time for wearing each type of mask. Such regulations could help to prevent work-related stress, particularly in the case of future epidemics, and avoid burnout among nursing staff or even nurses leaving their jobs. The consequences of both of these negative outcomes should be considered in light of the predicted expected future shortage of health care workers. "Contribution of the Paper" "What is already known about the topic?" O_LIAssociations between headache and pain experienced when wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and specifically face masks, has already been investigated. C_LIO_LINurses are at patients bedsides 24/7, and PPE is the only way to protect them from a COVID-19 infection. C_LI "What this paper adds" O_LIThese study results show that the stress level among nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic ranged from moderate to high, stress levels in general, stress levels. C_LIO_LIWe did not find a statistically significant association between the use of PPE and the nurses stress levels in general. C_LIO_LIThis study identified an association between the duration of wearing PPE and the nurses stress levels. C_LI

ObjectivesNot all workers are employed in occupations in which working from home is possible. These workers are at an increased risk for exposure to infectious disease during a pandemic event, and are more likely to experience events of job displacement and disruption during all types of public health emergencies. Here, I characterized which occupational sectors in the United States are most able to work from home during a public health emergency such as COVID-19. Methods2018 national employment and wage data maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was merged with measures from the BLS O*NET survey data. The measures utilized rank the importance of using a computer at work, and the importance of working with or performing for the public, which relate to the ability to complete work at home. ResultsAbout 25% (35.6 M) of the U.S. workforce are employed in occupations which could be done from home, primarily in sectors such as technology, computer, management, administrative, financial, and engineering. The remaining 75% of U.S. workers (including healthcare, manufacturing, retail and food services, et al.) are employed in occupations where working from home would be difficult. ConclusionsThe majority of U.S. workers are employed in occupations that cannot be done at home, putting 108.4 M U.S. workers at increased risk for adverse health outcomes related to working during a public health emergency. These workers tend to be lower paid than workers who can work from home. During COVID-19, this could result in a large increase in the burden of mental health disorders in the U.S., in addition to increased cases of COVID-19 due to workplace transmission. Public health guidance to "work from home" is not applicable to the majority of the U.S. workforce, emphasizing the need for additional guidance for workers during public health emergencies.

ObjectivesDaily sedentary time has been found to be higher during remote workdays compared to office workdays, but current evidence relays on studies from pandemic times. This study aimed to compare device-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior between office and remote workdays, worktimes, and non-worktimes among Finnish hybrid workers. MethodsOverall, 97 university employees (84% women, mean age 41.6 (SD 10.5) years) wore Fibion SENS sensor on their thigh for 7 consecutive days and provided at least one remote and one office workday. Sedentary time (SED), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured for remote and office workdays, worktimes, and non-worktimes. A linear mixed model was used to study the within-individual differences. ResultsRemote workdays accumulated 44 min (95% confidence interval (CI) 25-64) more SED, 29 min (95% CI 10-48) less LPA, and 15 min (95% CI 11-20) less MVPA compared to office workdays. Remote worktime included 31 min (95% CI 15-48) more SED, 24 min (95% CI 8-40) less LPA, and 7 min (95% CI 5-10) less MVPA compared to the office worktime. Non-working hours accumulated more SED and less MVPA during remote vs. office workday. ConclusionsRemote workdays included less physical activity and more sedentary behavior compared to office workdays, especially during working hours. Because of the popularity of remote work, strategies to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior during remote work are warranted. What is already known on this topicRemote work is a popular way of working, but it may increase daily sedentary time. What this study addsHigher levels of sedentary behavior and lower physical activity during remote vs. office workdays derived mainly from morning and working hours. How this study might affect research, practice or policyActions and interventions to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior during remote working hours are needed.