Workforce

About: Workforce is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 32140 publications have been published within this topic receiving 449850 citations. The topic is also known as: labour force & labor force.

Agile workforce evaluation: a framework for cross-training and coordination

Abstract: This paper outlines approaches for assessing and classifying manufacturing and service operations in terms of their suitability for use of cross-trained (flexible) workers. We refer to our overall framework as agile workforce evaluation. The primary contributions of this paper are: (i) a strategic assessment framework that structures the key mechanisms by which cross-training can support organizational strategy; (ii) a tactical framework that identifies key factors to guide the selection of an architecture and worker coordination policy for implementing workforce agility; (iii) a classification of workforce agility architectures; (iv) a survey of a broad range of archetypical classes of worker coordination policies; (v) a survey of the literature with an operational perspective on workforce agility; and (vi) identification of opportunities for research and development of architectures for specific production environments.

Impact of school closures for COVID-19 on the US health-care workforce and net mortality: a modelling study.

Abstract: Summary Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is leading to social (physical) distancing policies worldwide, including in the USA. Some of the first actions taken by governments are the closing of schools. The evidence that mandatory school closures reduce the number of cases and, ultimately, mortality comes from experience with influenza or from models that do not include the effect of school closure on the health-care labour force. The potential benefits from school closures need to be weighed against costs of health-care worker absenteeism associated with additional child-care obligations. In this study, we aimed to measure child-care obligations for US health-care workers arising from school closures when these are used as a social distancing measure. We then assessed how important the contribution of health-care workers would have to be in reducing mortality for their absenteeism due to child-care obligations to undo the benefits of school closures in reducing the number of cases. Methods For this modelling analysis, we used data from the monthly releases of the US Current Population Survey to characterise the family structure and probable within-household child-care options of US health-care workers. We accounted for the occupation within the health-care sector, state, and household structure to identify the segments of the health-care workforce that are most exposed to child-care obligations from school closures. We used these estimates to identify the critical level at which the importance of health-care labour supply in increasing the survival probability of a patient with COVID-19 would undo the benefits of school closures and ultimately increase cumulative mortality. Findings Between January, 2018, and January, 2020, the US Current Population Survey included information on more than 3·1 million individuals across 1·3 million households. We found that the US health-care sector has some of the highest child-care obligations in the USA, with 28·8% (95% CI 28·5–29·1) of the health-care workforce needing to provide care for children aged 3–12 years. Assuming non-working adults or a sibling aged 13 years or older can provide child care, 15·0% (14·8–15·2) of the health-care workforce would still be in need of child care during a school closure. We observed substantial variation within the health-care system. We estimated that, combined with reasonable parameters for COVID-19 such as a 15·0% case reduction from school closings and 2·0% baseline mortality rate, a 15·0% decrease in the health-care labour force would need to decrease the survival probability per percent health-care worker lost by 17·6% for a school closure to increase cumulative mortality. Our model estimates that if the infection mortality rate of COVID-19 increases from 2·00% to 2·35% when the health-care workforce declines by 15·0%, school closures could lead to a greater number of deaths than they prevent. Interpretation School closures come with many trade-offs, and can create unintended child-care obligations. Our results suggest that the potential contagion prevention from school closures needs to be carefully weighted with the potential loss of health-care workers from the standpoint of reducing cumulative mortality due to COVID-19, in the absence of mitigating measures. Funding None.

Retooling for an aging America: building the healthcare workforce. A white paper regarding implementation of recommendation 4.2 of this Institute of Medicine Report of April 14, 2008, that "All licensure, certification and maintenance of certification for healthcare professionals should include demonstration of competence in care of older adults as a criterion.".

Abstract: In Chicago, Illinois, on May 7, 2009, a group of 53 medical educators representing many U.S. certification boards, residency review committees, and medical societies met to review and approve a white paper intended to promote Recommendation 4.2 of the Institute of Medicine report of April 14, 2008, “Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce.” This recommendation is one of 14 and states: “All licensure, certification and maintenance of certification for healthcare professionals should include demonstration of competence in care of older adults as a criterion.” Background information given included the growing numbers of older adults, review of a 15-year initiative by a section of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) to include geriatric education in all surgical and some related medical specialties, a recent announcement of 26 elder care competencies to be expected of graduating medical students from Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) affiliated schools, and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approach to “Reinforcing Geriatric Competencies through Licensure and Certification Examinations.” Nine points involved in the implementation of this recommendation received discussion, and approaches to realization were presented. In conclusion, this white paper, which those listed as being in attendance approved, proposes that all ABMS member boards whose diplomates participate in the care of older adults select the floor competencies enumerated by the AAMC that apply to their specialty and add or subtract those completed during their trainees' initial (intern) year and then define those needed in subsequent years of residency and ultimate practice. This would fulfill the requirements of Recommendation 4.2 above.

Systematic review of effective retention incentives for health workers in rural and remote areas: Towards evidence-based policy

Abstract: Background: Poor retention of health workers is a significant problem in rural and remote areas, with negative consequences for both health services and patient care. Objective: This review aimed to synthesise the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of retention strategies for health workers in rural and remote areas, with a focus on those studies relevant to Australia. Design: A systematic review method was adopted. Six program evaluation articles, eight review articles and one grey literature report were identified that met study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: While a wide range of retention strategies have been introduced in various settings to reduce unnecessary staff turnover and increase length of stay, few have been rigorously evaluated. Little evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of any specific strategy is currently available, with the possible exception of health worker obligation. Multiple factors influence length of employment, indicating that a flexible, multifaceted response to improving workforce retention is required. Conclusions: This paper proposes a comprehensive rural and remote health workforce retention framework to address factors known to contribute to avoidable turnover. The six components of the framework relate to staffing, infrastructure, remuneration, workplace organisation, professional environment, and social, family and community support. In order to ensure their effectiveness, retention strategies should be rigorously evaluated using appropriate pre- and post-intervention comparisons.

Fragmented Futures: New Challenges in Working Life

Abstract: Introduction Themes Outline of the book The matter of words Where have we come from? Introduction Harvester man 'TINA' New realities at work What do people want from work? The quality of working life Consumption patterns and working Conclusion Who gets the opportunity to work? Unemployment Under-employment The challenge of unemployment Where are the jobs now? The decline in full-time permanent waged jobs Industry employment Occupational change Conclusion What is non-standard work? Introduction Fixed-term employment Casuals Dependent contractors Labour-hire Non-standard employment and skills formation Conclusion Are people now working longer and harder? Extended hours Work intensification Key elements of work intensification Industry case studies Conclusion How is work rewarded? Historical background Earnings inequality The low-paid workforce Conclusion How do people balance work and life? Experiencing work and life A more diverse workforce Labour-market transitions for workers with families Jobs and the balance Conclusion Whatever happened to life long learning? From front end training to life long learning? Workers: rising education levels Employers: stagnant contributions Deployment, not development, of labour Wasted skills and quality problems Conclusion Is retirement something to look forward to? Retirement and the labour market Retirement incomes Economic implications Housing and household debt The challenge of savings What lies behind the changes at work? Recent Australian economic developments Excess capacity Development and inequality Wage inequality Conclusion Conclusion Improvements, but problems Sustainable social and economic development Immediate concerns Notes