http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/industrial_relations/ Scientific studies on industrial relations, employment equity and employee satisfaction. en-us Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/science_society/industrial_relations/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209144011.htm Nearly 70 percent of the nation's service employees give away free goods and services – from hamburgers to cable TV – costing companies billions of dollars a year, according to a groundbreaking study. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209144011.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144133.htm A comprehensive new report on health insurance shows the so-called Great Recession caused hundreds of thousands of Californians to lose coverage and acquire medical debt. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202201511.htm U.S. counties and parishes with a greater concentration of small, locally-owned businesses have healthier populations — with lower rates of mortality, obesity and diabetes — than do those that rely on large companies with “absentee” owners, according to a national study. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:15:15 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202201511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124093144.htm Working mothers may be busy, but they like it that way. A recent study of employed moms finds that most would work even if they didn't have to, but they're also looking for new ways to negotiate the demands of mothering and the pressures to be an "ideal" employee. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124093144.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123124201.htm Increasing the involvement of workers through job design does affect employees' satisfaction and in turn organizational performance. But increasing the involvement of employees in the wider organization and encouraging them to be more proactive and flexible may reduce satisfaction and increase anxiety, even though it may increase organizational performance. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123124201.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118101345.htm If our psychological needs at work are met, we are more likely to be happy. If you are unhappy at work, it could be partly due to your boss' management style, according to a new study. Both over-controlling managers who use threats as a way to motivate employees, and organizations that do not appear to value individuals' contributions, frustrate our basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (how we relate to others). This, in turn, is likely to have a negative impact on our well-being at work. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118101345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210203.htm In a typical working week, people spend on average 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desk and 7 hours sleeping at night. Prolonged sitting at your desk is not only bad for your physical health, but potentially your mental well-being, experts in the UK say. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113210203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193444.htm Researchers have found that study participants who conjured positive imaginary co-workers contributed more in the actual workplace, both in job performance and going above and beyond to help others. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112193444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111134056.htm According to a new study, workers who witness incivility towards colleagues feel negative emotions -- especially when the incivility is aimed at workers of the same sex. The work is the first to look at the relationship between employees' observations of incivility towards same gender coworkers and negative emotions. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111134056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111104058.htm A new study found that employees with depression who receive treatment while still working are significantly more likely to be highly productive than those who do not. This is the first study of its kind to look into a possible correlation between treatment and productivity. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120111104058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105143846.htm A new study assessed the tools employees are using to cope with the stress of abusive treatment from a supervisor and how effective those tools are in terms of employee well-being. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105143846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112804.htm Are wage differences between men and women decreasing as more women attain managerial positions? A new Swedish report concludes that they are not. Manager gender is tied to neither wages nor, accordingly, wage differences on the labor market. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111216112804.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212144238.htm A California hospital raised its employee influenza vaccination rate above 90 percent by shifting from a voluntary vaccination program to one mandating all healthcare workers either get vaccinated or wear a mask at work for the entire flu season (December through March). Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212144238.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128132712.htm Having an abusive boss not only causes problems at work but can lead to strained relationships at home, according to a new study. The study found that stress and tension caused by an abusive boss have an impact on the employee's partner, which affects the marital relationship and subsequently the employee's entire family. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128132712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140631.htm After last year's rollercoaster ride, the job market for college graduates has settled down and appears braced for slow but steady growth, according to a new study. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111023135642.htm Women hospital staff working night shifts may be compromising their own health as they try to improve the health of patients, according to new research. A recent study investigated the connection between shift work and risk factors for heart disease in female hospital employees who worked both shift and non-shift rotations. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111023135642.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005131703.htm A new study of more than 1,000 engineers shows that non-compete agreements come with a high cost for employees: When those workers do shift jobs, roughly one-third of them end up leaving their chosen industry altogether, often at significant financial cost to themselves. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005131703.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005111406.htm A new study shows that using the Internet to look for a job reduces the time spent unemployed by an average of 25 percent. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005111406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111003180450.htm A new study suggests that openly gay men face substantial job discrimination in certain parts of the US. Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:04:04 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111003180450.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929122908.htm The historic RAND Health Insurance Experiment found that patients had little or no control over their health care spending once they began to receive a physician's care, but a new study shows that this has changed for those enrolled in consumer-directed health plans. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929122908.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923170350.htm Finding a job in today's economy is difficult in the best of circumstances, but many women are facing an even bigger challenge: returning to the workforce after a long absence. The top characteristic that resulted in job interviews for middle-aged women seeking an entry level job was vocational or computer training, according to a new study. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110923170350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920141540.htm Rude employee behavior is rampant and consumers report they respond to such episodes not by reporting incidents to managers, but by taking their business to competitors. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110920141540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901214424.htm In the first long-term study of the health impacts of the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse on Sept. 11, 2001, researchers have found substantial and persistent mental and physical health problems among Sept. 11 first responders and recovery workers. Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901214424.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901093653.htm Insomnia is costing the average US worker 11.3 days, or $2,280 in lost productivity every year, according to a new study considered to be more accurate than previous estimates. Researchers hope such numbers will prompt the implementation of screening and treatment programs for employees. Because insomnia is not considered an illness -- the kind that results in lost days at work -- employers tend to ignore its consequences. Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901093653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829131359.htm Experts agree that financial constraints and an aging population will require America to modify its Social Security system, but some also find that pushing back the eligibility age could be a major concern for those who rely on the program the most. The consequences -- both positive and negative -- of making the country's seniors wait to start claiming benefits are presented in new articles. Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829131359.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110824091528.htm Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of people who lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs over the last 2 years said that they skipped needed health care or did not fill prescriptions because of cost, according to a new report. The same proportion is also struggling with medical bills or medical debt, compared to about half (49 percent) who lost jobs but not their health insurance. Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110824091528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110821104149.htm Jobs that come with large paychecks but long work hours are slowing the gains women have made since the late 70s in narrowing the gender wage gap. A study by sociologists finds that the growing trend of overworking -- working 50 hours a week or more -- is partly responsible for the slowdown Americans have experienced since the mid-1990s in the convergence of the gender gap in pay. Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110821104149.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817135400.htm The performance management process should evaluate and focus on employee engagement in addition to job performance, according to a new paper. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817135400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817120231.htm Researchers investigating latex allergy in health care workers have demonstrated the most effective public health strategy to prevent allergic sensitization is by stopping the use of powdered latex gloves. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817120231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801132535.htm Researchers have found that financial and domestic problems escalate for those who settle claims for work-related back injuries, striking African-Americans, the poor and the young hardest. Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110801132535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726092151.htm Union membership in America has declined significantly since the early 1970s, and that plunge explains approximately a fifth of the increase in hourly wage inequality among women and about a third among men, according to a new study. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110726092151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110721163029.htm Researchers looked at aging, social class and labor force participation rates to illustrate the challenges that lower income workers face in the global marketplace using the burden of arthritis to examine these connections. The researchers found that blue collar workers are much more likely to work past 65 than white collar workers and are much more likely to suffer from conditions like arthritis, reducing their quality of life and work productivity. Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110721163029.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720142459.htm Engaged workers -- those who approach their work with energy, dedication, and focus -- are more open to new information, more productive, and more willing to go the extra mile. Moreover, engaged workers take the initiative to change their work environments in order to stay engaged. Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110720142459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718121603.htm With people often changing jobs and careers, organizations need to know how to help integrate and engage newcomers in order to retain them. A new study shows that new employees adjust better to their workplace with structured processes, such as orientation training and mentorship programs. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110718121603.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711104801.htm Rural workers have less access to sick leave, forcing them to choose between caring for themselves or family members, and losing pay or perhaps even their jobs when faced with an illness, according to new research. Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110711104801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630073342.htm Researchers have discovered the 'lunch effect' in Spain, showing that workplace accidents are more serious and more likely to be fatal between 1pm and 5pm. These hours after lunchtime account for 18.2% of all accidents and 29.4% of fatalities. Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630073342.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110629091637.htm The recurrence of an employee's medical leave of absence from work tends to happen much sooner with a mental health leave than a physical one, a new study shows. Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110629091637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110624083508.htm Being over-burdened with work, monotony and the perception of lack of recognition can all be catalysts for burnout syndrome. Scientists have analyzed the factors that influence the development of the three sub-types of this condition -- 'frenetic', 'under-challenged' and 'worn out'. Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110624083508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609112426.htm Savvy career minded individuals have known for some time that ingratiating oneself to the boss and others – perhaps more commonly known as ‘sucking up’– can help move them up the corporate ladder more quickly. However, a recent study suggests that politically savvy professionals who use ingratiation as a career aid may also avoid the psychological distress that comes to others who are less cunning about their workplace behavior. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609112426.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609083222.htm In the aftermath of the London bombings mobile phones and radios stopped working making the already tricky rescue operation even more difficult. Now experts have developed a solution to ensure breakdowns in communication are a thing of the past for emergency workers responding to disasters. Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:32:32 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609083222.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110608161531.htm A new crop of college graduates have just landed on the job market. Right now they're probably just hoping to get any job, if at all. However, for psychology majors, the salary outlook in both the short and long term is particularly poor, according to a new study. Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110608161531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607152657.htm Sex work is unprotected, increasingly dangerous and needs to be decriminalized, according to a new report published in the Canadian Review of Sociology. The study calls for sweeping changes to sex work performed on and off the streets. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607152657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110601131751.htm A new study has found that CEOs who pay attention to employees' job satisfaction are able to boost both customer satisfaction and "repurchase intentions," or the number of customers that intend to purchase products from the store. Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110601131751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525164101.htm Spending top dollar for megastar players like Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez helps Major League Baseball teams attract fans and earn higher profits, but clubs that spend the bulk of their player payroll on a couple of superstars ultimately win fewer games, a new study shows. Wed, 25 May 2011 16:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525164101.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110524124043.htm Using genetic predisposition as a factor in medical conditions presented in Canadian legal cases may diminish the impact of occupational, environmental and social factors in determining health claims, particularly workplace claims, according to a new analysis. Tue, 24 May 2011 12:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110524124043.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519090145.htm Women have lower career expectations than men, anticipating smaller paychecks and longer waits for promotions, according to a new study. When comparing expectations of university females and males, the women predicted their starting salaries to be 14 per cent less and to wait close to two months longer for a promotion compared to what men forecast. Researchers suspect these lower expectations may be perpetuating gender inequalities in the workforce with women taking lower-paying jobs and being less aggressive in salary negotiations. Thu, 19 May 2011 09:01:01 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110519090145.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110517121920.htm A labor law expert says as long as federal judges continue to enable NFL players to bargain in the courthouse, and not at the traditional bargaining table, collective bargaining will be a stunted institution in professional sports. Tue, 17 May 2011 12:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110517121920.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110509100940.htm Email use is a hidden cost for many businesses but a simple formula developed by researchers in the UK and Australia can help bosses work out how much of an employee's salary is effectively paying for their email use. The formula estimates that email use costs anywhere between £5,000 and £10,000 per employee each year. Mon, 09 May 2011 10:09:09 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110509100940.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110502110627.htm People who travel for business two weeks or more a month have higher body mass index, higher rates of obesity and poorer self-rated health than those who travel less often. Overall, the researchers found that business people who traveled the most (20 or more days a month) have poorer health on a number of measures. Mon, 02 May 2011 11:06:06 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110502110627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421130314.htm New research has found that older workers are a valuable asset, but are increasingly being squeezed by family pressures. Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421130314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418122305.htm International migrant workers entering Canada generally arrive healthy, but their low-skilled occupations may put them at risk of health issues and they may face barriers to health care, a new analysis finds. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418122305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418114158.htm People who are medically vulnerable -- those with low incomes or chronic health problems -- who enroll in high-deductible health plans are at no more risk for cutting back on needed health care than other people who enroll in the plans, according to a new study. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110418114158.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414131853.htm Challenging traditional views of workplace anger, a new article suggests that even intense emotional outbursts can prove beneficial if responded to with compassion. Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110414131853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406122219.htm New research finds that a workplace environment that allows employees to change when and where they work, based on their individual needs and job responsibilities, positively affects the work-family interface and reduces turnover. Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110406122219.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404151353.htm A new study of telephone customer service representatives shows just how important it is for employees to start the workday in a good mood. Researchers found that employees' moods when they clocked in tended to affect how they felt the rest of the day. Early mood was linked to their perceptions of customers and to how they reacted to customers' moods. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404151353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110401121446.htm Through a series of simple experiments, researchers found that unemployed Americans face discrimination that is unrelated to their skills or conditions of departure. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110401121446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110325024936.htm A study of more than 800,000 US families finds that high-deductible health plans significantly cut health care spending, but also prompt patients to cut back on preventive health care such as immunizations. Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110325024936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110301122059.htm The more honesty and humility an employee may have, the higher their job performance, as rated by the employees' supervisor. A new study that found the honesty-humility personality trait was a unique predictor of job performance. Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110301122059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207103607.htm Why in the United States are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? A new study shows that our larger cities are responsible for up to one-third of the growth in the wage gap. And it's the soaring salaries of many urban dwellers that is causing the mega income gap in megacities. Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207103607.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110126091434.htm Hands-on safety training for workers in highly hazardous jobs is most effective at improving safe work behavior, according to psychologists who analyzed close to 40 years of research. However, less engaging training can be just as effective in preparing workers to avoid accidents when jobs are less dangerous. Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110126091434.htm