Work and the Nature of man

Handbook of Employee Engagement: Perspectives, Issues, Research and Practice

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on socio-economic, energy-environment and transport sector globally and sustainable development goal (SDG)

On 11 June 2020, a private university student (aged 22 years) and his mother (aged 47 years) from Bogra, Bangladesh, committed suicide together by ingesting poisonous gas tablets in a forest close to where they both lived (The Daily Campus 2020). The day before the suicides, the student’s father insisted that his son complete online tests because he had arranged for a broadband connection. However, the son was determined to do the tests on campus. Consequently, a huge argument between the father and son ensued and the son felt oppressed by his father. Later that evening, the son’s parents had further arguments about the situation. As a result of the arguments, the mother and son engaged in a suicide pact and killed themselves the next day after the father had left for work (The Daily Campus 2020). The term “suicide pact” usually refers to simultaneous suicides of two or more individuals of close relationship with a similar motive (Griffiths and Mamun 2020; Prat et al. 2013). This event is rare (i.e., accounts for less than 1% of the total suicides; Part et al., 2013). Most suicide pact victims are married couples, socially isolated, and often there is a serious physical illness in one or both partners (Griffiths and Mamun 2020; Prat et al. 2013). However, suicide pacts among couples reported during the COVID-19 pandemic have not followed this typical pattern (Griffiths and Mamun 2020), and the present case appears to be the first suicide pact involving son and his mother. The reasons underlying COVID-19-related suicide pacts previously reported include (i) fear of COVID-19 infection, (ii) financial problems, (iii) being socially boycotted by others, and (iv) not being able to return home from abroad (Griffiths and Mamun International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00362-5

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Mother and Son Suicide Pact Due to COVID-19-Related Online Learning Issues in Bangladesh: An Unusual Case Report.

We aimed to do a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies describing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide and associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic. We searched following electronic databases using relevant search terms: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL and systematically reviewed the evidence following PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis of prevalence of suicidal ideation was done using random effect model. The search returned 972 records, we examined 106 in full text and included 38 studies describing 120,076 participants. Nineteen studies described suicide or attempted self-harm, mostly in case reports. Out of 19 studies describing suicidal ideations, 12 provided appropriate data for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation in these studies was 12.1% (CI 9.3-15.2). Main risk factors for suicidal ideations were: low social support, high physical and mental exhaustion and poorer self-reported physical health in frontline medical workers, sleep disturbances, quarantine and exhaustion, loneliness, and mental health difficulties. We provide first meta-analytic estimate of suicidal ideation based on large sample from different countries and populations. The rate of suicidal ideations during COVID pandemic is higher than that reported in studies on general population prior to pandemic and may result in higher suicide rates in future.

Suicide, self-harm and suicidal ideation during COVID-19: A systematic review.

First case of student suicide in India due to the COVID-19 education crisis: A brief report and preventive measures.

The purpose of the paper is to review and analyse different glass ceiling studies conducted in different Asian countries during the three decades after the introduction of the metaphor. It also describes the antecedents and the consequences of the glass ceiling.,The method chosen for the study was a computerised search of available materials using the keywords relating to glass ceiling in Asia and latest reports from international organisations.,The perception of glass ceiling existence in Asian countries has been sorted out region-wise. Different factors for glass ceiling have been categorised under different theories.,The study includes a multiregional aspect of glass ceiling, which will be useful for further studies in this area. The limitation of the study is that it did not assess the awareness and influence of glass ceiling in each industry.,Since the study showed glass ceiling practices in different countries in Asia, it might help policy makers for making proper decisions for breaking of glass ceiling.,The study may be a part of empowering women as it analyses areas of inequality and finds out antecedents.,This paper is the first to shed light on glass ceiling on a multicultural and multiregional aspect.

Glass Ceiling and women employees in Asian organizations: a tri-decadal review

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between glass ceiling beliefs, work engagement, and burnout.




Design/methodology/approach




A research model was developed based on the constructs from the Career Path Survey (CPS) and a literature review of research related to work engagement and burnout. Data from a cross-sectional study of 467 female employees from banks in India were collated and empirically tested, using structural equation modeling.




Findings




Denial and resilience were positively related to work engagement and negatively to burnout. Resignation and acceptance had a positive relationship with burnout and a negative relationship with work engagement.




Research limitations/implications




Further longitudinal studies focusing on different occupational sectors and career aspects can be considered for a more accurate and generalized insight into this concept.




Practical implications




Glass ceiling survey can be considered as an input for human resource functions for effectiveness of the organization.




Originality/value




This paper is the first to analyze the connection between the beliefs that women have about the glass ceiling and burnout and its components.

Women’s glass ceiling beliefs predict work engagement and burnout

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is to study the psychometric properties of different versions of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) in the Indian context in terms of factorial validity, scale reliability, descriptive statistics and construct validity.




Design/methodology/approach




The data collected through a cross-sectional survey among 467 women employees from banking sector in India and structural equation modeling has been performed for the analysis.




Findings




Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a better fit for the three-factor model of UWES-9 than the other versions. Work engagement is positively related to in-role performance and negatively related to turnover intention.




Research limitations/implications




The study recommends further longitudinal studies in this area.




Practical implications




More studies and practical investigations can be conducted in organizations, academics and societies since the current study explored the appropriate version of UWES in the Indian context.




Originality/value




This is a key study which analyses psychometric properties of UWES in Indian banking sector by considering all its versions.

A psychometric analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in Indian banking sector

The role of employee engagement and satisfaction is very important in today's world of changing labour market, technology, and job patterns. With an increase in women participating in the labour market, understanding their attitude towards the glass ceiling and its relationship with work engagement and job satisfaction is important for individual, organisational, and societal progress. This article studies the relationship between glass ceiling beliefs and job satisfaction through the mediating role of work engagement. Four hundred twenty women employees were surveyed as the sample for this study and structural equation modelling was used to understand the relationships. The relationship between glass ceiling beliefs and job satisfaction was found to be fully mediated by work engagement. The study recommends longitudinal studies for future studies in this area.

Remya Lathabhavan

Papers

First case of student suicide in India due to the COVID-19 education crisis: A brief report and preventive measures.

Glass Ceiling and women employees in Asian organizations: a tri-decadal review

Women’s glass ceiling beliefs predict work engagement and burnout

A psychometric analysis of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in Indian banking sector

Linking women's glass ceiling beliefs and employee satisfaction: the mediation of engagement