Tag: Health and wellbeing

Research finds female employees hardest hit by pandemic and working from home

A review of research in organizational and workplace psychology conducted by an international team of academics has revealed the implications of working-from-home for women has been more disruptive.

The review paper, entitled COVID-19 and the Workplace: Implications, Issues, and Insights for Future Research and Action and originally published in American Psychologist, features urgent insight from UCL School of Management Professor, Sunny Lee into the sex- and gender-related implications of changes in work practices that have taken place over the course of 2020.

The review of research indicates the impact of the pandemic differs by demographic characteristics, such as gender. The paper reveals two key implications on the workplace; the first that work-from- home models will increase and continue post-pandemic and the second that although men are more likely to face direct health threats from COVID-19, women are more likely to be affected by the adverse social and economic costs.

Working from home is here to stay

The authors of the paper believe that face-to-face working will reemerge post-pandemic but will most likely return in a hybrid form which mixes face-to-face work with virtual work. Prior research has suggested that hybrid forms of working such as this are effective in increasing employees’ productivity, satisfaction, and psychological wellbeing.[1] And even with the option to work on an entirely remote basis, employees may choose to come to office regularly given humans’ strong social motives to connect with others.

Although working-from-home has turned out to increase productivity for some workers, it does also come with downsides. For example, research shows some workers are being burned out as they have to juggle caring for their children or other family members while working from home, whilst some employees feel distress and loneliness as they struggle with blurring work/non-work boundaries and miss out on social opportunities.

Given that working-from-home is likely to increase in the years which follow the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative consequences of such models will continue unless addressed. The review paper found gender and sex to be an influential moderating factor.

WFH more disruptive for women than men

Prior research has shown that in households where two partners are employed, women typically engage in household tasks more than men. And during national lockdowns and the closure of schools, the burden of household tasks tends to increase for couples with children as they become compelled to assist with children’s virtual learning.

Therefore, although working-from-home may increase overall productivity among employees, work may be substantially more disrupted for women, particularly those who have children. Indeed, a recent research (Feng & Savani, 2020) study showed that during the pandemic, among couples who are both employed, women’s productivity was more disrupted and women felt more dissatisfied with their job.

Additionally, the research showed due to their empathy and communal orientation, women, compared to men, may feel more isolated and stressed by working from home. A recent survey on 996 U.K. healthcare workers found that more females are experiencing emotional distress amid the pandemic (IPPR, 2020).

Sunny Lee, one of the paper’s authors and an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour at the UCL School of Management, said: “The research has shown that the work-from-home model has been a success for many companies forced to close their offices during the pandemic.

“However, we can see on a day to day basis the pressure this is putting on women to find a balance in their productivity and home life and this something organisations need to be sensitive to if this model is here to stay.

“Interestingly, one of the emerging trends we observed was the success of female leaders in handling this crisis, with leaders such as Jacinda Arden, Angela Merkel and Tsa Ing-Wen able to flourish in these uncertain environments.

“Going into 2021 organisations need to be aware of creating the right environment, one which is sensitive to the needs of both men and women, so that everyone’s skills are able to flourish during times of uncertainty.”

Organ Donation: It’s good to talk!

Telling family is the top way Scots make organ decision known

Ahead of Scotland’s move to an opt out system of organ and tissue donation, new research has revealed telling family is the top way people have made their donation decision known. 

Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of people who have made their decision have told family what they’d like to happen, followed by over half (54 per cent) recording it on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and 27 per cent sharing it with friends.

The research also reveals one in ten (11 per cent) haven’t yet made their decision known to others – and today (17 December 2020) Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick outlined the importance of people recording their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and making family aware of their latest views on donation. 

The law changes to an opt out system from 26 March 2021, which means that if people aged 16 and over have not recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered as a possible donor when they die.

Under the new law, people can choose to be a donor, or opt out of donation, however sharing that decision with family remains vital, as family members will still be consulted to check what a loved ones latest views on donation were.  This is to ensure donation doesn’t proceed where it is against a person’s wishes. 

Of those surveyed who hadn’t shared their decision with family – over a third (38 per cent) said it was because they hadn’t got round to it yet, and almost a quarter (22 per cent) said they didn’t feel the need to raise it as it was a personal matter.

The Scottish Government is set to launch a national advertising campaign early next year to highlight what the change of law means, and the options people have, ahead of the March law change date.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “With the introduction of Scotland’s opt out legislation on the horizon, we’re encouraging people to make time to record their donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and share it with family. 

“Under the new law, family will always be asked about a loved one’s latest views on donation. We know organ donation isn’t something that comes up in everyday conversation but making a point of speaking about what you’d want to happen, means your family will be able to honour it.

“Everyone has a choice and regardless of whether you decide to be a donor, or opt out of donation, making that decision known is vital.”

For more about the law change, or to opt out, visit organdonationscotland.org or call 0300 123 123.

Heart Research UK Healthy tip – Healthy Christmas

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion and Education at Heart Research UK

TIPS FOR A HEALTHIER CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a time when we can be tempted to overindulge, but it is possible to enjoy the festive period without it impacting on our health and waistline. Wherever you are spending Christmas this year, we can help you make it a healthy and happy one.  

  • Don’t let food become the main focus this Christmas. Instead of spending days in the kitchen baking cakes, biscuits and puddings, why not invest your time in preparing fun games to play on Christmas day, decorating the house, getting in touch with people who are spending Christmas alone or planning a Christmas Day walk.
  • Instead of buying gifts that are high in calories, such as chocolates, jams, sweets, biscuits and alcohol, choose non-edible gifts instead. How about buying the kids things that will get them active, such as a football, skipping rope, skateboard, bike, hula hoop or trampoline.
  • It can be difficult to avoid the consumerism that has taken over Christmas and you can easily buy too much food and drink for the festive season. Having too much can encourage overindulgence and lead to unnecessary waste. Try to be realistic about how much people will eat and drink and avoid overdoing it when you are shopping and cooking. This will also help you to save on your shopping bill!
  • Watch your alcohol consumption at Christmas. It is fine to enjoy a drink, but try not to have too much. Alcoholic drinks can be high in calories, which can lead to weight-gain. During the Christmas period, it can be tempting to start drinking earlier in the day, which can result in you drinking more. Try to plan in advance how much you will drink and try to stay off the alcohol until later in the day. You can get support with your drinking by visiting the Drinkaware website: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/tools/self-assessment 
  • Try not to spend too long sitting in front of the TV this Christmas. Wrap up warm and head out for a brisk walk to burn off some calories and get your heart rate up. Why not get out in the fresh air with any new outdoor gifts, such as a football, frisbee or bike. 
  • Look after your mental health this Christmas. Christmas can be a time of stress, anxiety and loneliness for many people. This year, people may struggle more with mental health problems due to the pandemic. Mind provides information and support for people experiencing mental health issues https://www.mind.org.uk/

Hours of fun for the under 5s

Taking care of your child’s physical and mental health has never been more important. With coaching opportunities city-wide, Edinburgh Leisure offers so many choices for getting your child active for life by starting them young.

With a wide range of coaching and courses for babies to pre-schoolers and beyond, physical activity can help a child build fitness, confidence, and resilience, develop coordination skills and teaches them how to socialise.

Release their inner ‘Sugar Plum Fairy’ with Edinburgh Leisure’s dance classes or help them develop motor skills, balance and agility with ‘Gym Nippers’.

From 18 months to 3 years, you can even join in all the fun too. To comply with the current Covid-19 restrictions, Edinburgh Leisure has measures in place to ensure the safety of everyone, including the need for a parent/guardian to accompany pre-school aged children for Gym Nippers, who can physically support them in class, with instruction from the coach.

Children can join in their football classes from 3 years, where they will l develop confidence, spatial awareness and teamwork. For children who like to be airborne, their trampolining classes deliver balance, co-ordination, cardio fitness and self-confidence, whilst their swimming lessons will improve your child’s water confidence in and out of water, with an emphasis on fun and progression.

Swimming coaching can start from as young as 3 months or even younger, giving parent and baby a great opportunity to bond. And for budding Andy Murrays or Johanna Kontas, Edinburgh Leisure’s Tots Tennis offers a fun introduction to the sport allowing parents or helpers to be on court with them.

Things may be a little different now but Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching sessions still remain as popular as ever, with the emphasis on fun, safety, with dedicated, experienced staff ensuring everyone receives a warm welcome and gets the most from their classes.

To find our more about more about spaces available and the coaching timetable, visit: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/coaching

Headteachers and Deputes placed under huge pressure throughout COVID pandemic

The EIS has published a new briefing paper which highlights the views of Headteachers (HTs) and Deputes (DHTs) on the pressures of working in schools during the pandemic.

The EIS recently surveyed members across Scotland on a wide range of COVID-related issues and is publishing a series of themed briefings. Today’s report is based on comments received from HTs and DHTs in response to the national survey.

Key issues identified include:

  • Senior leaders highlighted that they are doing their best to implement the guidance to keep their schools safe, but there are just too many pupils in classrooms and in communal areas.
  • Some members suggested that the transmission within their school is not being reported.
  • There was widespread concern over the wellbeing of school staff who feel under pressure with their workload and are anxious about teaching with so many pupils in class full time.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Headteachers and Deputes have been under immense pressure throughout the pandemic.

“Many Headteachers and Deputes worked through the summer holidays to prepare schools for return after the lockdown, and have continued to work extremely long hours ever since.

“Added to this, HTs and DHTs have been compelled to take on responsibility for contact tracing in their schools, with little or no additional support. With some school buildings set to remain open right up to Christmas, many HTs and DHTs will be expected to handle track and trace calls throughout the festive period.”

A sample of comments from HTs and DHTs who responded to the survey is included below:

  • “The amount of additional pressure and workload on head teachers is disgraceful. Now working 7 days a week as on call constantly with no time back or recognition. Schools are not safe.”
  • “Quite concerned about the way in which the public health team is dealing with confirmed cases in school. Parent can report that child has tested positive before 9am yet it takes until 3pm for any decision to be made about the class/staff isolating.”
  • “All staff are working in a very stressful environment due to working within guidance and are exhausted.  Many feel vulnerable and would have appreciated being offered the flu vaccine as some protection against illness this winter.  Many are also feeling undervalued as it’s fine for them to work with 30 different families but not for them to visit their own.”
  • “My desire would be that schools remain open and that our pupils get the service they long for. If the public health situation is severe enough for a level 4 lockdown and all non-essential shops are closed, then serious consideration must be given to risk of staff and pupils in schools. I believe that blended learning is a half-way house and pupils would get a better deal by staff being fully committed to remote learning. The remote learning offer is now far better than what it was in April to June.”
  • “We are finding staffing incredibly challenging.  I currently have 50% of my teachers off and while we are able to cover, the lack of supply teachers available is very concerning.  I am concerned about the impact on the staff who are in and the impact long term staff absence is having on our children.”
  • Staff are exhausted and anxious. There may be a limit to how long they can continue under such pressure.”

Today’s briefing (below) on Headteachers and Deputes is the latest publication to support the EIS campaign #NotAtAllCosts, which argues against the government plan to keep schools physically open ‘at all costs’ even in areas with high rates of COVID infection.

EIS-HTs-and-DHTsDownload

The EIS is continuing to share members’ comments online and urges individual teachers to do the same using the hashtag #NotAtAllCosts and tagging the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in their posts.

Today’s briefing and further information on the #NotAtAllCosts campaign can be accessed via the EIS website at www.eis.org.uk/Coronavirus/NotAtAllCosts

TUC research: One in three BME workers have had to self-isolate

Black and minority ethnic (BME) workers have had to self-isolate at a much higher rate than white workers, according to new TUC research published this week.  

The poll, carried out by Britain Thinks, shows that more than a third (35%) of BME workers have self-isolated during the pandemic compared to a quarter (24%) of white workers.   

Feeling unsafe at work  

The TUC believes the research shows that BME workers are being put at greater risk of coronavirus exposure than white colleagues.   

While half of white workers (49%) reported that their employer had done a Covid-Secure risk assessment for their workplace, this falls to 36% for BME workers. This is despite the risk assessment being a legal requirement.   

Higher stress levels 

Working during the pandemic continues to have a negative impact on the levels of stress and anxiety of two-fifths of BME workers (38%).  

BME workers (88%) are more likely to have concerns about returning to work than white workers (78%).   

Previous TUC analysis has shown that BME people are far more likely to be in precarious work and in jobs with higher coronavirus mortality rates than white workers, such as security guards, carers, nurses and drivers.    

Unfair treatment 

Almost a third (32%) of BME workers report having experienced 3 or more forms of unfair treatment compared to a quarter of white workers.  

In addition, almost a quarter (23%) of BME workers report experiencing abuse from other members of their workplace, compared to 16% of white workers. 

TUC antiracism task force  

The findings are published today (Thursday) as the TUC’s new antiracism task force meets for the first time. It is chaired by NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach.    

The task force will lead the trade union movement’s renewed campaign against racism at work. It will engage with Black workers across the UK to hear about their experiences. And it will produce recommendations on tackling structural racism in the UK, in workplaces and in unions themselves.      

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This government has been careless of the impact of coronavirus on BME lives.   

“BME workers are more likely to be exposed to the virus, less likely to work in Covid-Secure workplaces, and therefore more likely to be plunged into hardship if they have to self-isolate.    

“BME workers – and all workers – should be entitled to decent sick pay when they have to self-isolate, and to safe workplaces.   

“The government should act to rid the UK of the low wage insecure jobs that keep many BME workers in poverty and put them at higher risk from the virus. And it should set out a real commitment to ending systemic racism and discrimination.”    

Chair of the TUC’s anti-racism task force and NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “There is a hostile environment for Black workers today which means they are more likely to face discrimination in the workplace, to be in insecure jobs, and more likely to be dismissed from work. 

“And, during the pandemic we have also seen how racial discrimination has resulted in Black workers being much more likely to die at work as a result of Coronavirus. 

“As the Task Force begins its work, we will be hearing evidence from Black workers about their experiences of everyday racism in the workplace. 

“The Anti-Racism Task Force will not hesitate to call out racial injustice wherever we find it. It will bring together a strong coalition to deliver a programme of measures to root out racism and tackle racial discrimination and injustice at work.” 

Covid 19: Christmas relaxation will overwhelm services

To protect the NHS, the UK government must abandon ‘rash’ plans for household mixing

Two leading medical journals – the British Medical Journal and the Health Service Journal – have joined forces to warn that the UK’s plan to ease Covid rules over Christmas is a “rash decision” that will “cost many lives”:

Since the UK’s first lockdown in March, the government has had one (perhaps only one) consistent message—protect the NHS.

Now, with the number of hospital patients with covid-19 again on the rise, and a third wave almost inevitable, the New Year is likely to see NHS trusts facing a stark choice: be overwhelmed or stop most elective and non-urgent work. Rather than lifting restrictions over Christmas as currently planned, the UK should follow the more cautious examples of Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

By and large the NHS has coped well with the additional caseload from covid-19 patients during the autumn. The second wave began to hit hospitals at the start of September. Government figures report 451 inpatients with covid-19 in England on 2 September.1 Over the ensuing 10 weeks, the numbers rose steadily and then rapidly, peaking at a reported 14 712 inpatients in England on 23 November.

If the third wave turns out to be of the same order of magnitude as the second wave, the health service should manage. But this will be the case only if the third wave starts with a broadly similar extra caseload of covid-19 inpatients as at the beginning of the second wave: around 450.

With current restrictions failing to control the virus, extrapolation suggests that the actual figure is likely to be more than 40 times higher, as we explain below. The planned relaxation of restrictions over Christmas will boost the numbers further as the NHS also struggles with the additional demands of winter.

England went into lockdown on 5 November, and the number of inpatients with covid-19 began to fall, down to 12 968 on 5 December.1 If this rate of decline had continued, the English NHS would have been on course for just under 11 000 covid-19 inpatients on 31 December.

However, in the past two weeks, despite most of the country being in tiers 2 or 3 of restrictive measures, numbers of inpatients have started to rise again. By 14 December (the latest data available) the covid bed occupancy had climbed back to 15 053.

Unless something happens to change this trajectory, hospitals in England will have just short of 19 000 patients with covid on New Year’s Eve. This figure, derived by extrapolating a straight line from 5 December to 14 December through to 31 December, would be almost exactly the same as the 18 974 peak of the first wave on 12 April.

The NHS currently has around 95 000 general acute beds. It is operating with around 10% fewer beds than a year ago as a result of infection prevention and control measures introduced to try to stop the spread of covid in hospitals.

The main effect of a further surge in covid-19 inpatients is likely to be felt most by those with other conditions. The NHS has learnt from the first and second waves and has robust plans to rapidly increase intensive care capacity, including through the Nightingale hospitals. But how are these to be staffed? A large influx of patients with covid-19, similar or greater than that seen in the autumn, can only be managed if staff and other resources are diverted from treating non-covid patients.

Having recovered much of their capacity for elective and non-urgent care during the autumn, NHS trusts in the most pressured regional health systems are already having to cancel almost all such activity because of the resurgent virus.

A substantial third wave could wipe out almost all the reductions in waiting times for elective procedures achieved in the past 20 years. Average waiting times will reach 12 months by March next year.

This will take years to recover from, at the cost of much suffering and loss of life.

The coming months are also likely to see the NHS under intense winter pressures from seasonal outbreaks of norovirus, increased admissions of frail older people, and the peak of staff absence. The NHS will also be in the middle of delivering the largest vaccination programme in its 72 year history, through already overstretched general practices and hospitals.

Even if NHS England succeeds in vaccinating all those “at risk” by Easter, this won’t be in time to prevent hospital admission and death for many during the next few months. NHS Track and Trace, which in fact has almost nothing to do with the NHS, continues to squander money on failure.

So too does the mass testing of asymptomatic people using lateral flow tests that are not fit for purpose.

London and many neighbouring counties will enter tier 3 on 16 December. However, other areas such as Kent, which has been in tier 3 since 2 December, are still seeing strong increases in hospital admissions. These measures are clearly inadequate.

Ministers are meeting on 16 December to review current restrictions for England. When they devised the current plans to allow household mixing over Christmas they had assumed the covid-19 demand on the NHS would be decreasing. But it is not; it is rising, and the emergence of a new strain of the virus has introduced further potential jeopardy.

Of particular concern is the effect on staff, many of whom have already worked through the hardest nine months of their professional lives. Levels of burnout and sickness absence are likely to exceed those already experienced.

What should be done

Members of the public can and should mitigate the effect of the third wave by being as careful as possible over the next few months. But many will see the lifting of restrictions over Christmas as permission to drop their guard. The government was too slow to introduce restrictions in the spring and again in the autumn.

It should now reverse its rash decision to allow household mixing and instead extend the tiers over the five day Christmas period. In order to bring numbers down in advance of a likely third wave, it should also review and strengthen the tier structure, which has failed to suppress rates of infection and hospital admission.

This joint editorial is only the second in the more than 100 year histories of The BMJ and the Health Service Journal. We are publishing it because we believe the government is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives.

If our political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action, they can no longer claim to be protecting the NHS.

Worst in Europe: Scotland’s drug deaths rise to new record high

The number of drug-related deaths in Scotland increased by 6%, from 1,187 in 2018 to 1,264 in 2019, representing the highest number since records began in 1996, according to statistics published by National Records of Scotland today.

Other key findings show that of all drug-related deaths in 2019:

  • Nearly 7 in 10 were male.
  • Over two thirds were aged 35 – 54.
  • Three-quarters occurred in the following five health board areas: 404 in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, 163 in Lanarkshire, 155 in Lothian, 118 in Tayside and 108 in Ayrshire & Arran.
  • Heroin and morphine were implicated in more deaths than in any previous year, and over half of the total.

Three-quarters of the deaths occurred in five health board areas. Greater Glasgow and Clyde had 404 deaths, Lanarkshire 163, Lothian 155, Tayside 118 and Ayrshire and Arran 108.

Scotland’s drug-death rate was higher than those reported for all the EU countries, and was approximately 3½ times that of the UK as a whole.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services said: “2019 saw the highest number of registered drug related deaths in Scotland since reporting began over 20 years ago. The figure of 1,264 deaths is an increase of 77 on 2018.”

 Edinburgh the number of drug related deaths has risen by 1, from 95 to 96; in East Lothian the number of drug related deaths has remained the same at 18, in West Lothian the number of drug related deaths dropped by 2 from 25 to 23 and in Midlothian the number of drug related deaths has risen from by 4 from 14 to 18.  

In the last 10 years the number of drug related deaths has more than doubled in Lothian from 73 deaths in 2010 to 155 deaths in 2019.

The number of drug related deaths from heroin in Lothian has risen from 56 in 2018 to 69 in 2019.

Drug related deaths from Benzodiazepine rose from 94 in 2018 to 109 in 2019, with “street” Benzodiazepine drug related deaths rising from 69 to 85, of which Etizolam rose from 42 to 72.

Drug related deaths from cocaine rose from 51 in 2018 to 62 in 2019 and the number of alcohol related deaths dropped from 25 in 2018 to 22 in 2019.  

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Every single drug death in Scotland is a tragedy and it is deeply concerning that the number of drug related deaths has risen year on year.

“Cuts to drug rehab beds and addiction programmes by SNP Ministers have been counterproductive in reducing drug related deaths in Scotland.

“The Scottish Conservatives have called on a £20 million Scottish Recovery Fund, to shift the focus from methadone prescriptions to drug rehabilitation programmes.

“SNP Ministers have failed to prevent people from using drugs in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s or to support people off drugs if they have become addicted.”

Statistics on deaths caused by volatile substances and helium have also been published today.

The publication Drug-related deaths in Scotland, 2019 and an infographic summary is available on the NRS website.

Fit for free: BX Plans workout app available to download

At the beginning of 2020 BX Plans had a mission to ‘get the world fit for free’. Pre-Covid the publishers decided that fitness for all was paramount and wanted as many people as possible to experience the benefits of this timeless workout plan. 

Twelve months on and the way we live, learn and exercise has been radically changed. Many of us are either in forced or voluntary isolation removed from our normal everyday routines. That’s why the publishers of BX Plans are offering a free download of the XBX 12-minute workout app for women for a limited time. Perfect for ‘lockdown living’ it is a great way to get fit and stay fit during the winter months.

Created almost 70 years ago and used by the Royal Canadian Airforce, BX Plans has become a fitness phenomenon. Its popularity has grown over the decades because of its easy to use, no fuss approach to exercise.

There’s no gym equipment needed, and no expensive gym fees to worry about. 

Ian Walton, publisher of the BX Plans for men and women said: “I had used the 5BX Plan in my younger days and as I passed 60, I decided it was time to get fit again. I published the books because I believe it is the best fitness plan ever devised; so simple.”

There is no doubt that BX Plans has helped millions of people maintain their fitness. 

Many high-profile celebrities including members of the Royal Household such as Prince Phillip and Prince Charles have enjoyed the benefits of BX Plans. In a recent Telegraph article Dame Helen Mirren says, “It is the exercise I have done off and on my whole life. It just very gently gets you fit. Two weeks of doing it and you think: ‘Yeah, I could go to the gym now.”

The BX Fitness plan is great for men and women of all ages as well as children aged between 7-17. It is available in 5 languages which include English, French, German, Spanish and Polish.

The books are available worldwide and can be bought direct from the BX Plans website or Amazon. 

A free eBook is available for both men and women to download. Customers who prefer a book can get 30% off any book purchase which can make a great Christmas gift for a loved one or friend.

As a bonus the women’s XBX 12-minute workout app is available to download for free for a limited time from Google play. 

The app is fully illustrated and designed to guide users through daily workouts with many charts to choose from. The flexibility of the app on a variety of devices allows workouts to be done with ease in the comfort of the home, office or anywhere else suitable!

This free download can make a great Christmas present for a friend or loved one so remember to share the news. 

Visit: https://bxplans-uk.com/ for further information about BX Plans.