Original scientific paper
THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE ON THE HEALTH AND WORK ABILITY OF BANK STAFF
Jasminka Zgombić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9001-4988
; Dom zdravlja Zagreb-Centar, Služba medicine rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Work ability is affected by a number of factors: the physical condition of the worker, the work environment and the requirements of the workplace. Loss of harmony among these factors and any distortion of one of the factors may have a negative impact on work ability and efficiency.
The aim was to find out if there are any differences in work ability between different groups of bank office workers and to identify the most frequent medical diagnoses reported by bank office workers.
A sample of 96 bank office workers (21 male and 75 female) voluntarily completed the WAI questionnaire as part of a regular medical check-up. The sample was made up of three groups: a group that works with clients at the counter, a group that works with clients in their office, and a group that does not work with clients. We analyzed the WAI score, applying the Hi sq. test, the total number of medical diagnoses per participant, and the category and frequency of medical diagnoses. Health records were consulted as well.
It was shown that WAI depended on the workplace. The lowest WAI was found in the group of bank office workers who worked with clients at the counter, and the highest WAI in the group which did not work with clients at all. The differences between the observed groups were statistically significant. The highest total number of medical diagnoses per participant was found in the group of workers working with clients at the counter. The lowest number of medical diagnoses was found in the group working with clients in their own office. The most frequent medical diagnoses were neck and back pain, metabolic disorders and allergies. In the group of bank office workers who work with clients at the counter, the leading health problems were neck and back pain and metabolic disorders. In the group working with clients in their own office, the most frequent diagnosis was neck and back pain. Leading medical problems for the bank employees who do not work with clients were allergic and metabolic disorders.
Our results suggest that work ability and general health condition of bank office workers are affected by the demands of the workplace. Chief medical disorders were found to be stress-generated. The work at the bank was also found to adversely affect the muscle and skeletal systems. Further investigation is needed. Also, there is a need for stress reduction programmes as well as programmes to decrease musculoskeletal disorders.
Keywords
bank employees; work ability index
Hrčak ID:
131405
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2014.
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