The contribution of working conditions and care recipient characteristics to work-related abuse and exploitation of migrant home care workers

Abstract

Purpose Migrant home care workers constitute a vulnerable group in society, which is often exposed to work-related abuse. The purpose of this paper is to explore which characteristics are linked with their abuse. Design/methodology/approach Overall, 187 Filipino home care workers who work in Israel were recruited via snowball sampling and filled an anonymous questionnaire regarding work-related abuse incidents and working conditions. Findings More than half of the participants reported exposure to abuse (e.g. sexual, physical, or emotional) or exploitation (e.g. asking to do more than job requirements). Particularly vulnerable were migrant workers during their first year in the host country and those who were taking care of an older adult with cognitive impairment. Interestingly, men who served as care workers were more susceptible to abuse than women. Originality/value The findings point to specific characteristics which make home care workers more susceptible to abuse illustrate the need for a closer supervision on the working conditions of home care workers, especially during the initial period of their work. Training migrant home care workers in the area of dementia care is also important.

The mediating role of work atmosphere in the relationship between supervisor cooperation, career growth and job satisfaction

“…Nonetheless, conscientious leaders must be prudent to accept free speech and to create more vocal workplace (Li et al , 2018; Detert and Burris, 2016). In general, people leave their jobs because they do not like their boss, do not see opportunities for promotion or career growth or are offered a better gig (and often higher pay); these reasons have held steady for years (Green and Ayalan, 2017; Bohle, et al , 2017). Together these ideas offer a blueprint for a culture that works better for employees in a congenial working atmosphere of a business organization (Guidetti et al , 2018; Coupaud, 2017; Ignatius, 2016).…”

“…Workplace bullying is a widespread problem with serious individual, organizational and social effects (Hyo and Hye, 2018; Ariza-Montes et al , 2017; Bohle et al , 2017; Cirilã and Constantin, 2013). Abusive and exploitative working conditions are common in workplace particularly in service industry (Green and Ayalan, 2017). Workplace bullying is also a significant problem in service industry which diminishes job satisfaction and organizational productivity and contributes to high rates of turnover, as leaving may be the only way for workers to escape abusive behavior (Hyo and Hye, 2018; Ariza-Montes et al , 2017; Bohle et al , 2017).…”

Fragmented time and domiciliary care quality

“…In the UK, poor social care employment 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 ' (2008: 1033). Green and Ayalon (2017) echo this, arguing that domiciliary care workers are susceptible to various forms of abuse and calling for closer scrutiny of their working conditions. While their research focuses particularly on migrant labour, the issues are nevertheless relevant to the predominantly Welsh workforce considered here.…”

“…In the UK, poor social care employment practice is widespread in both the private (Rubery and Urwin, 2011) and voluntary sectors, where Cunningham (2008) describes a "race to the bottom" (p. 1033). Green and Ayalon (2017) echo this, arguing that domiciliary care workers are susceptible to various forms of abuse and calling for closer scrutiny of their working conditions. While their research focuses particularly on migrant labour, the issues are nevertheless relevant to the predominantly Welsh workforce considered here.…”

An Analysis of Working Conditions of Filipinos in Malta

“…Migrants were especially vulnerable in their first year in the host country and when they took care of older adults with cognitive impairments. Counter intuitively, male migrant workers were also more at risk of abuse than females (Ayalon, 2017). A low level of unionization is among the factors that may increase the risk of violence at the workplace (Pillinger, 2016).…”