Occupational recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic: differences between occupational groups and the association with compliance with infection control measures
-
Axel Babst
,
Martin Groß
Abstract
This paper examines two research questions. First, we investigate whether specific occupational groups experienced changes in the recognition they received during the Covid-19 crisis. Second, we analyse whether occupational recognition can promote compliance with infection control measures. In addition, we distinguish between a micro-level of job recognition and compliance in the direct working environment on the one hand and a macro-level of recognition of occupational groups and general acceptance of infection control measures on the other. We find that health care occupations and “basic occupations” (essential occupations that do not require formal training) report an increase in recognition received by society during the pandemic, but still perceive the lowest levels of recognition overall. These groups also report lower levels of political recognition and do not feel adequately remunerated. Furthermore, occupational recognition has a positive impact on compliance with infection control measures. We identify institutional trust as the most important mediator. While occupational recognition in the immediate work environment has the greatest impact on micro-level compliance at the workplace, occupational recognition at the macro-level is relevant for accepting closures of public facilities, various restrictions and the intention to get vaccinated.
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Beitrag thematisiert zwei Forschungsfragen. Erstens untersuchen wir, ob bestimmte Berufsgruppen Veränderungen hinsichtlich ihrer Anerkennung während der Covid-Krise erfuhren. Zweitens analysieren wir, ob berufliche Anerkennung die Compliance mit Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen fördern kann. Dabei unterscheiden wir zwischen einer Mikroebene der Job-Anerkennung und Compliance im unmittelbaren Arbeitsumfeld auf der einen Seite und einer Makroebene der Anerkennung der Berufsgruppe und der generellen Akzeptanz von Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen auf der anderen Seite. Beschäftigte in Gesundheits-/Pflegeberufen sowie in „Basisarbeit“ (Tätigkeiten, die keine Qualifizierung erfordern) berichten einen Anerkennungszuwachs seitens der Gesellschaft währende der Pandemie, nehmen insgesamt aber nach wie vor das geringste Ausmaß an Anerkennung wahr. Diese Berufsgruppen empfinden zudem die politische Anerkennung als gering und halten ihren Beruf für unterbezahlt. Zudem zeigt sich, dass berufliche Anerkennung einen positiven Einfluss auf die Compliance mit Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen hat. Institutionenvertrauen erweist sich als wichtigster Mediator dieses Zusammenhangs. Während die unmittelbar erfahrene Anerkennung im direkten Arbeitsumfeld den größten Einfluss auf die Compliance am Arbeitsplatz und damit auf die Mikroebene hat, erweist sich die Anerkennung der Berufsgruppe als relevant für die Akzeptanz von Schließungen öffentlicher Einrichtungen und Einschränkungen sowie die Impfbereitschaft.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Occupational health in a post-pandemic world of work. Introduction to this special issue
- Social partners and OSH: a multilevel and cross-country exploration in the hospital and social services sectors
- Occupational health in slaughterhouses in Germany: translating political claims into Legal Language during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Mental stress and resources in the sectors of IT services and social services – The potential of company occupational safety and health policy for developing health-promoting organisations
- Occupational recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic: differences between occupational groups and the association with compliance with infection control measures
- Occupational safety and infection control for risk groups in the Covid-19 pandemic and the participation of employee representative bodies
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Occupational health in a post-pandemic world of work. Introduction to this special issue
- Social partners and OSH: a multilevel and cross-country exploration in the hospital and social services sectors
- Occupational health in slaughterhouses in Germany: translating political claims into Legal Language during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Mental stress and resources in the sectors of IT services and social services – The potential of company occupational safety and health policy for developing health-promoting organisations
- Occupational recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic: differences between occupational groups and the association with compliance with infection control measures
- Occupational safety and infection control for risk groups in the Covid-19 pandemic and the participation of employee representative bodies
