Research/Studies

Supporters of sick leave policies say they help prevent the spread of disease and on-the-job injuries. Critics claim they are burdensome and costly to employers.

Cambridge, England – Lack of sleep among U.S. workers results in an increased risk of death and the loss of 1.2 million working days per year, and costs the economy up to $411 billion annually, according to a new report from RAND Europe, part of the nonprofit research institute RAND Corp.

Lahti, Finland – Being a pessimist may raise a person’s risk of death from coronary heart disease, even though optimism does not offer protection from the disease, according to a study from researchers at Päijät-Häme Central Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.

Burr Ridge, IL – The rise of ride-hailing services has resulted in “driver” being ranked No. 1 on the North American Spine Society’s list of “Top 10 Most Back-Breaking Jobs” as determined by a survey of NASS members.

Bloomington, IN – Workers in high-stress jobs who have little control over workflow and other key decisions are at a higher risk of dying early, according to a study from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

Wuhan, China – Male night-shift workers who do not nap during the day or have worked the night shift for more than 20 years – as well as those who average more than 10 hours of sleep per night – may have a greater risk of developing cancer, according to a study from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Boulder, CO – Inadequate amounts of sleep and work environment factors are “major drivers” of occupational fatigue, which can hamper job performance and result in errors and injuries, according to a study from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Bethesda, MD – Declining speech-processing abilities in the brain may contribute to hearing loss in older adults, according to a recent study from researchers at the University of Maryland.

Janesville, WI – Fire station alarms that gradually get louder can help reduce stress among firefighters, according to research from Mercy Health System’s Department of Emergency Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine.

Cardiff, Wales – Injuries and risk levels are underreported by global container port operators, and the industry needs more consistency in its approach to safety and health management, according to a report from Cardiff University.