This study, involving 5 DOE sites, is the largest study to date to examine the effects of downsizing on employee health and contributes significant knowledge to a global economic context where downsizing is a commonly used management tool. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to gather information on organizational and job characteristics, organizational change, and health of the survivors. More than 200 employees were interviewed or participated in focus groups. 5,897 employees completed an extensive employee survey and more than 3,300 included written comments for analysis. This session will focus on the qualitative data collected in focus groups and survey comments. We will highlight some interesting discrepancies between the statistical findings and focus group data: why is communication a central theme in focus groups but only statistically significantly related to 2 of 9 outcomes [morale (all sites, p<=.001) and job security (3 sites, p<.01)]. Authors will present the areas most frequently mentioned as areas of importance and concern (employee-management relations, workload and work schedule, and the impact of procedures and paperwork on work life) and employee suggestions for improving the workplace.
Learning Objectives: By the close of the session, learners will: 1) Identify the importance of using qualitative data collection to frame and to understand statistical findings. 2) Describe areas of work life that appear most important to employees regarding the impact on stress, health and workplace functioning. 3) Assess the relative importance of focus group findings in a large-scale quantitative study
Keywords: Occupational Health,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.