JOEM: Workplace Harassment and Health (November 2023)-JOEM: Workplace Harassment and Health (November 2023)

JOEM: Workplace Harassment and Health (November 2023)

Pdf Summary

Workplace harassment, including both generalized harassment (GWH) and sexual harassment (SH), has been linked to various health conditions. This study aimed to examine the long-term effects of workplace harassment on health outcomes over a 23-year period. The study surveyed participants at multiple points between 1997 and 2006, and again in 2020. The results showed that chronic exposure to workplace harassment was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, arthritic/rheumatic conditions, and migraine. The prevalence of health conditions in the study ranged from 3.71% for myocardial infarction to 43.06% for hypertension. The findings suggest that workplace harassment can have a significant impact on worker health and well-being. The study recommends strengthening and enforcing organizational and social anti-harassment policies and laws to protect worker health. The results also highlight the need for surveillance efforts to assess and monitor levels of workplace harassment and targeted intervention and prevention efforts in specific work environments, as well as longitudinal studies to understand the long-term impacts of workplace harassment on morbidity and mortality. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of addressing workplace harassment as a public health issue.

Keywords

Workplace harassment

Health conditions

Long-term effects

Coronary heart disease

Arthritic/rheumatic conditions

Migraine

Prevalence

Anti-harassment policies

Surveillance efforts

Public health