In this presentation, three researchers in occupational health and safety reflect on current events and share data and suggestions for adapting worker health and rehabilitation programs to this new reality. Topics will include mental health impacts, job stress, bullying and incivility, organizational climate, use of telehealth for injured workers, impact of broader socioeconomic changes, and the effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable workers.
Brief take-home message:
COVID-19 is changing the way we work and significantly rearranging priorities in occupational health and safety, worker well-being, rehabilitation, and return-to-work. The combined effect of widespread unemployment, altered physical and social workplace activities, and continuing risks of infection require that employers and health care providers adopt an expanded view of injury protection, rehabilitation, and disability management for workers.