Link to Seminar

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836848235

Programme

15.00h–15.25h Presentation Margo Ketels
15.25h–15.35h Feedback Mieke Audenaert (discussant)
15.35h–15.45h Feedback other attendees

15.45h–16.10h Presentation Bart Cockx
16.10h–16.30h Feedback other attendees

Presentation Margo Ketels

Title: Let’s make physically demanding jobs sustainable. Insights into the physical activity health paradox

Authors: Margo Ketels (Universiteit Gent), dr. Charlotte Lund Rasmussen, dr. Mette Korshøj, dr. Nidhi Gupta, prof. dr. Dirk De Bacquer, prof. dr. Andreas Holtermann, prof. dr. Els Clays

Abstract: Even in our contemporary western societies a considerable group of workers remains exposed to high physical work demands. Due to our ageing workforce, employees have to work longer, which is particularly challenging for older workers that are engaged in physically demanding jobs. In fact, increasing evidence indicates that workers who regularly perform demanding physical tasks at work show an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal problems and overall mortality. This stands in sharp contrast with the widely documented beneficial health effects of leisure time physical activity. The different effects of the two types of physical activity is often referred to as the “physical activity health paradox”.

In this presentation I will try to achieve a better understanding of the paradox and explore possible ways as to make the effects of occupational physical activity less detrimental and more beneficial. In particular, I will focus on the relevant differences between the two types of physical activity in terms of their effect on cardiorespiratory fitness. Subsequently I will explore a number of psychosocial factors, such as the amount of job control and social support, that might attenuate the detrimental effects of physically demanding jobs.

Discussant: Mieke Audenaert

Slides: click here

Presentation Bart Cockx

Title: How does working-time flexibility affect workers’ productivity in a routine job? Evidence from a field experiment

Authors: Prof. dr. Marie Boltz (University of Strasbourg), prof. dr. Bart Cockx (Universiteit Gent), prof. dr. Ana Maria Diaz (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana), prof. dr. Luz Mafalena Salas (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana)

Abstract: We conducted an experiment in which we hired workers under different types of contracts to evaluate how flexible working time affects on-the-job productivity in a routine job. Our approach breaks down the global impact on productivity into sorting and behavioral effects. We find that all forms of working-time flexibility reduce the length of workers’ breaks. For part-time work, these positive effects are globally counterbalanced. Yet arrangements that allow workers to decide when to start and stop working increase global productivity by as much as 50 percent, 40 percent of which is induced by sorting.

Slides: click here