The psychosocial and health effects of workplace reorganisation. 2. A systematic review of task restructuring interventions

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the health and psychosocial effects (with reference to the demandcontrol-support model) of changes to the work environment brought about by task structure work reorganisation, and to determine whether those effects differ for different socioeconomic groups. Design: Systematic review (QUORUM) of experimental and quasi-experimental studies (any language) reporting health and psychosocial effects of such interventions. Data sources: Seventeen electronic databases (medical, social science and economic), bibliographies and expert contacts. Results: Nineteen studies were reviewed. Some task-restructuring interventions failed to alter the psychosocial work environment significantly, and so could not be expected to have a measurable effect on health. Those that increased demand and decreased control tended to have an adverse effect on health, while those that decreased demand and increased control resulted in improved health, although some effects were minimal. Increases in workplace support did not appear to mediate this relationship. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that task-restructuring interventions that increase demand or decrease control adversely affect the health of employees, in line with observational research. It lends support to policy initiatives such as the recently enforced EU directive on participation at work, which aims to increase job control and autonomy.

Working for health? Evidence from systematic reviews on the effects on health and health inequalities of organisational changes to the psychosocial work environment

“…Seven reviews addressing the health effects of changes to the psychosocial work environment were located: three examined increased employee control (Aust & Ducki, 2004;Bambra et al, 2007;Egan et al, 2007a), and four evaluated the effects of changes to the organisation of work (shift work, privatisation, health and safety legislation) (Bambra et al, 2008a;Bambra et al, 2008b;Egan et al, 2007b;Rivara & Thompson, 2000). Five of the reviews specifically examined effects on health inequalities (Bambra et al, 2007;Bambra et al, 2008a;Bambra et al, 2008b;Egan et al, 2007a;Egan et al, 2007b).…”

“…Five of the reviews specifically examined effects on health inequalities (Bambra et al, 2007;Bambra et al, 2008a;Bambra et al, 2008b;Egan et al, 2007a;Egan et al, 2007b). Five of the reviews met all seven of the critical appraisal criteria (Bambra et al, 2007;Bambra et al, 2008a;Bambra et al, 2008b;Egan et al, 2007a;Egan et al, 2007b).…”

“…Two focused largely on increasing employee participation in workplace decision making (Aust & Ducki, 2004;Egan et al, 2007a), whilst the other examined the effects of increased control over work tasks (Bambra et al, 2007).…”

“…The third review examined nineteen studies of the health effects of three types of changes to employee control over work tasks: increasing task variety, team working and autonomous groups (Bambra et al, 2007). The review found that task structure interventions did not generally alter levels of employee control.…”

“…Further, the five reviews which examined differences by socio-economic or demographic group (Bambra et al, 2007;Bambra et al, 2008a;Bambra et al, 2008b;Egan et al, 2007a;Egan et al, 2007b), when taken together, tentatively suggest that organisational workplace interventions may also have the potential to have an impact on health inequalities amongst employees.…”