Workplace responses to COVID-19 and their association with company size and industry in an early stage of the epidemic in Japan

• Sasaki Natsu

  Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

• Kuroda Reiko

  Division for Environment, Health and Safety, the University of Tokyo

• Tsuno Kanami

  School of Health Innovation, Kanagawa University of Human Services

• Kawakami Norito

  Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the number of workplace measures implemented to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic reported by employees and their association with company size and industry among employees in Japan. Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted of full-time employees in Japan from March 19–22, 2020. Questions were about announcements by the company of measures taken and 23 items of workplace measures. Associations of company size and industry with the announcements and the number of workplace measures were analyzed. Results: The final sample consisted of 1,379 respondents. The mean number of implemented preventive measures for COVID-19 among 23 items was 11.2 (standard deviation, 5.9). Proportions of respondents who reported receiving announcement of measures taken was high (79.9%), as were proportions of respondents reporting implementation of some of the workplace measures, while the less than half reported implementation of most of the workplace measures. The announcement of measures and the number of workplace measures that were implemented in the workplace were generally lower/smaller among respondents in smaller companies and in retail, wholesale, and transportation industries. Conclusions: While most respondents reported receiving information about measures by their companies/organizations, it may be a further challenge to implement workplace measures in smaller companies and companies in retail, wholesale, and transportation industries.

Journal

• Environmental and Occupational Health Practice

  Environmental and Occupational Health Practice 2 (1), n/a-, 2020

  Japan Society for Occupational Health

Keywords

• COVID-19
• infection
• prevention
• public health
• SARS-CoV-2
• worksite

Details

• CRID: 1390566775147815424
• NII Article ID: 130007867174
• DOI: 10.1539/eohp.2020-0007-oa
• ISSN: 24344931
• Web Site: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/eohp/2/1/2_2020-0007-OA/_pdf
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2023116582
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed