Citation

Galon T, Briones-Vozmediano E, Agudelo-Suárez AA, Felt EB, Benavides FG, Ronda E. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2014; 57(8): 950-959.

Affiliation

Department of General and Specialized Nursing, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22346

PMID

24890757

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous economic recessions show that immigrant workers may experience longer periods of unemployment, a situation that may lead employees to presenteeism, the act of working in spite of a health problem. This study explored perceptions about the factors that lead to presenteeism in immigrant workers considering the context of economic crisis.

METHODS: Six focus group discussions were held (February 2012), with men and women from Colombia, Ecuador, and Morocco (n = 44) living in Spain and selected by theoretical sample. A qualitative content analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Four categories were identified as factors that influence the occurrence of presenteeism in a context of economic crisis: poor employment conditions, fear of unemployment, employer/employee relationship, and difficulties in finding temporary replacement workers. Furthermore, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and mental problems were related to presenteeism.

CONCLUSIONS: It is important to develop strategies to protect workers from negative working conditions that are associated with deterioration of health. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en