COVID-19-Related Workplace Bullying and Customer Harassment Among Healthcare Workers Over the Time of the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Eight-Month Panel Study of Full-Time Employees in Japan

Mako Iida; Natsu Sasaki; Kotaro Imamura; Reiko Kuroda; Kanami Tsuno; Norito Kawakami

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002511

COVID-19-Related Workplace Bullying and Customer Harassment Among Healthcare Workers Over the Time of the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Eight-Month Panel Study of Full-Time Employees in Japan

J Occup Environ Med. 2022 May 1;64(5):e300-e305. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002511. Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Authors

Mako Iida¹, Natsu Sasaki, Kotaro Imamura, Reiko Kuroda, Kanami Tsuno, Norito Kawakami

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Ms Iida); Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Sasaki, Dr imamura, and Dr Kawakami); Division for Environment, Health and Safety, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (Dr Kuroda); School of Health innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Kanagawa, Japan (Dr Tsuno).

PMID: 35143454
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002511

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalences of COVID-19-related workplace bullying and harassment (WBH) and customer harassment among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared to non-HCWs during COVID-19 outbreaks.

Methods: A baseline (March 2020) and follow-up surveys (May, August, and November 2020) were conducted of full-time employees, with an online questionnaire that included items on COVID-19-related WBH and customer harassment. The prevalences were compared between HCWs and non-HCWs using generalized linear models with repeated measures.

Results: A total of 800 (56%) respondents completed all the surveys. Prevalences of WBH and customer harassment were 5% to 10% and 10% to 13%, respectively, among HCWs during the follow-up. HCWs had a significantly higher prevalence of WBH in May (Adjusted OR = 2.3) and customer harassment in November (Adjusted OR = 2.7), compared to non- HCWs.

Conclusions: HCWs remained at high risk of COVID-19-related WBH and customer harassment during the pandemic.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bullying*
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Disease Outbreaks
Follow-Up Studies
Harassment, Non-Sexual
Health Personnel*
Humans
Japan / epidemiology
Occupational Stress* / epidemiology
Occupational Stress* / etiology
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Workplace*