Qualitative Comments in the Survey of General Workers

Qualitative Comments in the Survey of General Workers Experiences during a Pandemic May. Day, May. Day 2020 Daryl Stephenson, Ph. D Ergonomist, OHCOW

Objectives • Contextualize the findings of the survey with open ended survey comments • The comments provide a living narrative behind the quantitative findings of the survey data • Highlight the diverse range of ideas of how stakeholders might address the sources of stress and control the psychological hazards during a pandemic

Methods – Survey Tool • OHCOW conducted a survey across Canada of general workers experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. • Participants were invited to share “What else might help you do your job more effectively? In an open-ended question format

Methods - Comment Analysis • NVIVO • Thematic Analysis of survey comments • Revised based on the frequency of themes • Iterative process of coding Analyze and organize Comments Compare themes to current data Code comments Assign codes to themes

What else might help you do your job more effectively? 1475 comments were analyzed and coded 35, 000 words 199 Initial codes created Codes were categorized into themes 14 Themes were created

ce ss Ac to ki ng or W do ith w rs he ot ity cu r Se lth ea p or k w er sh i al H Jo b en t M to in g E PP ai n Tr t ie s lic po Le ad s ce s Ac d an y et en qu. . . ge m an a m sa f io n at d ov i In fo rm C e og y, e ke rs or fw to pp or t Su e io n ho m un ca t fro m ec hn ol m Ti te rt be t en m g or ki n ea t Tr W m om C Prevalence of themes Number of references in each theme 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Word cloud of most frequently used words

Communication - Better communication between management and workers – 100 references - Better communication – 52 references - Honesty and Transparency – 28 references - More frequent check-ins - Some said opposite, less “pointless meetings”

Access to better technology, equipment and internet - 127 references - Better computers and equipment to work on at home - Faster internet - Rural areas - Virtual Private Networks - Communication devices

Covid safety policies Better Covid safety policies – 78 references Proactive protocols Clearer direction from government and ministry – 14 references Having clear and consistent policies Knowing if coworkers have Covid Better cleaning protocols More testing of general public (clients, patients, customers) Testing for frontline workers Workers not understanding why their jobs are deemed essential

PPE • Many frontline workers 75 were very upset by the references lack of PPE given to were calling them for a need for more or • Many did not feel safe re-using their PPE better PPE in their • Better PPE disposal workplaces. guidelines

Working from home Ergonomic issues - 66 references Child care, stress of having children at home – 54 references Content working from home and wanting to continue working from home after pandemic is over – 29 references Technological problems, needing better computer skills and tools to transition work online Work should cover cost of working at home (internet, technology) – 20 references

“Childcare has been a huge issue. We're a 2 parent, 3 child household. Both parents are still working, and trying to simultaneously school our children. It's an exhausting, never-ending logistical dance. ”

Time management More time, extended deadlines More flexibility, Autonomy Less micromanagement, unnecessary meetings and interruptions Regular schedule Spending extra time cleaning workplaces less work or reduced workload fair distribution of work “being able to choose my hours from home to start earlier, like before my kids get up so I can get it done and work on it once they've gone to bed. ”

Treatment of workers “Taking the suggestions and recommendations from frontline staff seriously. Valuing frontline opinions and solutions to problems in workplace, especially through Covid-19. ” Respect – 63 references • Inclusion of front line staff in decision making and Covid policy discussions Bullying – 15 references Fairness equality Appreciation and positive feedback “A company that puts their employees health and wellness above money and politics, especially during a pandemic. ” Compassion Trust

Information and Training • • • Staying informed with work decisions and plans Technology training PPE training Procedural training Help transitioning work online – 26 references, mainly teachers/professors

Support • Financial support – 53 references to increased pay or hazard pay, recognizing essential workers placing their lives on the line • More employees and staffing – 45 references • Support from supervisors and management – 28 references • Technical support • Government support • Support from colleagues • Mental health support

“Not only have these jobs become busier than usual, but the emotional labour that every single frontline/essential worker is being burdened with right now cannot be understated. Whether doctors or nurses, customer service, daycare workers etc, these are stressful times for us, and for our families and loved ones who we come home to every day and share close-quarters with. Despite these emotional stressors that burden us every single day, we are expected to perform our roles with a smile on our faces. I think every on-site front-facing essential worker deserves increased wages, in addition to employer-provided PPE including gloves and face masks. ”

Mental Health Mental health support – 40 references Opportunities for self care, paid mental health days Getting time off Attention to stress and anxiety COVID has added layers of stress Vacations “I would like to take some vacation time in order to support family and look after my emotional needs. I could return to work and be more effective. However, the work demands in my job are quite high right now. ”

Access to do work • 62 references • being allowed or having the ability to work from home • Gaining access to office or workplace to be able to do job – University libraries • not able to communicate with patients, clients and staff in person

More themes • Job Security – 40 references. • Leadership – 41 references, mostly issues with leadership and direction • Working with others – allowing more teamwork and collaboration with colleagues • Fear of returning to work “As a teacher by contract, assurances that my regular classes will still be offered in the fall. Otherwise ongoing feelings of financial insecurity will be even more stressful”

Thank You If you have any questions about this presentation, please contact me at the email/number below OHCOW Hamilton Clinic dstephenson@ohcow. on. ca 848 Main Street east (905) 549 -2552 ext. 2232 www. ohcow. on. ca