Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health
Volume 61, Issue 6, 2006, Pages 249-258

How immigrant workers experience workplace problems: A qualitative study (Article)

de Castro A.B. , Fujishiro K. , Sweitzer E. , Oliva J.
  • a Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington School of Nursing, United States
  • b Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, United States
  • c Chicago Interfaith Workers' Rights Center, United States
  • d Chicago Interfaith Workers' Rights Center, United States

Abstract

In this qualitative study, the authors describe work organization factors, problems workers encounter on the job, consequences of these problems, and actions taken to deal with them. Study participants were immigrant workers seeking assistance at the Chicago Interfaith Workers' Rights Center. Using a grounded theory approach, the investigators coded narratives from 455 records describing workers' problems. Emerged sequences of events were then integrated into a model. Data show that workers' rights are systematically violated and problems are rooted in how jobs are designed and managed. Work organization factors are associated with occupational injury/illness, job loss, and worker actions. Employer responses included indifference and various forms of retaliation. This model provides insight into the work-related troubles immigrants face and informs hypothesis generation and action initiatives. © 2007 Heldref Publications.

Author Keywords

workers Qualitative study Work organization immigrants

Index Keywords

immigrant human work environment controlled study priority journal Aged ethnic difference workplace occupational accident male female qualitative analysis Article work schedule adult data analysis work experience occupational health job performance
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35948956646&doi=10.3200%2fAEOH.61.6.249-258&partnerID=40&md5=1b17707e037953bfb6e5bd2f7f8d88bb
DOI: 10.3200/AEOH.61.6.249-258
ISSN: 19338244
Cited by: 64
Original Language: English