HSE management standards indicator tool and positive work-related outcomes
International Journal of Workplace Health Management
ISSN: 1753-8351
Article publication date: 8 June 2015
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if the Management Standards (MS) Indicator Tool developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the assessment of work-related stress is associated with positive work-related outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 326 employees of an Italian firm filled in a questionnaire including the HSE Indicator Tool (measuring MS) and validated scales investigating personal development, job performance and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). Regression analyses were run to evaluate the explained variance of the outcomes and the demands/control interaction effect hypothesized by Karasek’s active learning hypothesis.
Findings
The MS explained variance of all the outcomes analysed and the active learning hypothesis was confirmed for personal development. Contrary to previous studies on negative stress-related outcomes, “job content” MS were the most important predictors. However, higher job demands were unexpectedly positively associated with the outcomes.
Practical implications
Taking into account positive work-related outcomes could provide organizations with additional information for the development of interventions with greater emphasis on preventive orientation (improvement of health, well-being and motivation, rather than only work stress reduction).
Originality/value
The study provides new insight into the relationship between MS and positive work-related outcomes, thus expanding the nomological network of the Indicator Tool questionnaire and giving empirical evidence to the notion of the “business case” for work stress prevention. Firms performing well on MS could expect greater worker development and higher performance.
Keywords
Citation
Toderi, S. and Balducci, C. (2015), "HSE management standards indicator tool and positive work-related outcomes", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 92-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-11-2013-0044
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited