Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from Covid-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia

Bibliographic Data

ID15514102
AuthorsLinda Matisāne (0000-0003-3978-6963, Riga Stradiņš University, corresponding author), Linda Paegle (0000-0002-2205-6676, Riga Stradiņš University), Maija Eglite (Riga Stradiņš University), Lāsma Akūlova (0000-0002-4947-3904, Riga Stradiņš University), A Linde (0000-0001-7429-1216, Riga Stradiņš University), Asnate Anna Linde (Riga Stradiņš University), Ivars Vanadziņš (0000-0002-5391-1583, Riga Stradiņš University), Iveta Mietule (0000-0001-7662-9866, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies), Jeļena Lonska (0000-0002-8140-4810, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies), Lienīte Litavniece (0000-0001-9859-7850, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies), Iluta Arbidāne (0000-0002-9762-3874, Rēzekne Academy of Technologies), Sarmīte Rozentāle (0000-0002-0682-4196, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences), Ieva Grīntāle (0000-0002-0043-0751, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue10
Pages5188-5188
Publication date2021-05-13
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18105188
PMID34068240
OpenAlexW3161652562
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited17

Several individual factors like older age and chronic diseases have been linked with more severe symptoms often leading to hospitalization and higher mortality from COVID-19. Part of adults with such factors is still active in the workforce. The objective of the study was to identify measures taken by the employer to protect them and to investigate reasons for low protection of vulnerable workers during the 1st wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Answers from 1000 workers collected via web-survey and results from 10 focus group discussions were analyzed. Only 31.5% of respondents mentioned that their employer had identified existing vulnerable groups and offered specific measures to protect them. Moving vulnerable workers away from the workplace was the most frequent measure (e.g., transfer to the back-office without contact with clients, telework, paid vacations, paid downtime). Most employers do not see elderly workers and workers with chronic diseases as risk groups, thus are not specifically protecting them. Instead, several employers have included workers critical for business continuity in their risk group. Others had not taken measures because of the lack of information due to general data protection regulation. Poor communication and lack of interest of employers to ask their workers if they need special protection is the topic to be addressed at the national level

Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Economic growth · Environmental health · Focus group · Pandemic · Personal protective equipment · Workforce · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Medicine · Marketing

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