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Background: Access to an on-demand pericoital oral contraceptive pill – used to prevent pregnancy within a defined window around sexual intercourse – could offer women more reproductive agency. A contraceptive with this indication is not currently available in any market. This review aims to understand international user appeal for an on-demand pericoital oral contraceptive pill. Methods: Systematic scoping review, comprising 30 peer-reviewed papers published between 2014–2023. Results: Data from 30 papers reporting on research from 16 countries across five World Health Organisation regions suggests widespread user appeal for on-demand oral contraceptive pills that can be used peri- or post-coitally, especially among women who are younger, more educated or who have less frequent sex. Women of varying age, wealth, employment or relationship status, and with different prior experience of using modern contraceptives, were also interested. Women identified clear rationale for use and preference of these types of product: close alignment with women's sexual lives that comprised unplanned, spontaneous or occasional sex; perceived convenience and effectiveness; discreet use of pills to negotiate contextual circumstances that constrained their reproductive agency. Factors inhibiting use included knowledge barriers and attitudes of service providers, a lack of knowledge and misinformation among end-users, women's dislike of menstrual side effects and myths related to the effects of hormone content on future fertility. Conclusions: Introduction of an on-demand pericoital oral contraceptive pill could expand contraceptive choice for diverse women experiencing unmet need for modern contraception and constrained sexual and reproductive agency. Priorities for future research include: broadening the geographical scope of evidence to include SE Asia and the Pacific, and international rural and peri-urban settings; documenting the perspectives of adolescents and unmarried young people; identifying opportunities for innovation in the supply channels to enhance appropriate, affordable access to on-demand oral contraceptives; and unpacking how to bring new pericoital contraceptives to the market in a variety of international settings. Plain English Summary: Access to an oral contraceptive pill that is used as needed to prevent pregnancy and taken within a defined window around sexual intercourse (i.e. an on-demand pericoital oral contraceptive pill) could offer women more reproductive agency. Though not currently available in any market, our analysis from this review of international literature reveals widespread appeal among women for using this type of contraceptive product. Clear rationale supporting use and preference included: (1) closer alignment with women's sexual lives that comprised desired but unplanned, spontaneous or occasional sex than other contraceptives; (2) perceived convenience and effectiveness, offering benefits over other modern contraceptives; and (3) women feeling able to overcome social values and beliefs that constrained their reproductive agency. There were also barriers to use of this type of product, including knowledge gaps and attitudes of service providers, a lack of knowledge and misinformation among end-users, women's dislike of the side effects, and myths and misconceptions about the impact of the hormone content in pills on future fertility. Introduction of an on-demand pericoital oral contraceptive pill could expand contraceptive choice for diverse women experiencing unmet need for modern contraception and constrained sexual and reproductive agency. Priorities for future research include: broadening the geographical scope of evidence to include SE Asia and the Pacific, and rural and peri-urban settings; documenting the perspectives of adolescents and unmarried young people; identifying opportunities for innovation in the supply channels to enhance appropriate, affordable access to this type of contraceptive; and unpacking how to bring this new contraceptive to the market in a variety of international settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hospitality industry employs people with disabilities; however, as an emerging research area, little is known about the antecedents, experience, and consequences of disability employment in the sector. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic literature review of the peer-reviewed literature to improve the understanding of the employment of people with disability in the hospitality sector. This review analyzes papers published between 1990 and 2021 reporting on organizational programs established to increase the recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities. This resulted in 36 papers for systematic review analysis and answers three essential questions regarding employer initiatives to promote the employment of people with disabilities, barriers and facilitators to the employment of people with disabilities, and benefits and challenges of employing people with disabilities in the hospitality sector. Our review provides a conceptual framework that integrates the present body of literature. This review also identifies a future research agenda for the future study of disability employment in hospitality organizations by outlining five gaps in the literature, which include theoretical rigor, expansion of disability employment research scope, country context, methodological improvement, and disability diversity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Die Anaesthesiologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper addresses the tensions between political sovereignty and global capitalist accumulation that arise from neoliberal globalization: in the context of neoliberal globalization, the role of the state was substantially altered, and competitiveness became important to sustain economic growth, employment and wealth. However, for this purpose, the internal stabilization of the economy also has to be ensured. Competition state-ness aims to reconcile domestic and global market dynamics. This paper addresses this challenge from a Cultural Political Economy perspective, arguing that the specific way this is done results from ideas, institutional selectivities and materiality. As the supranational level gained importance during globalization, this paper uses the European competition state project as an empirical example. It uses a Critical Discourse Analysis to analyze the economic imaginaries on competition of the European socio-economic strategy, Europe 2020. The central findings are two imaginaries on competition that address different market dynamics in the neoliberal political economy: the 'sovereign entity' that promotes a well-functioning domestic market, and the 'competitive entity' that aims to increase European competitiveness to thrive on the world market. Although tensions arise between the imaginaries, it is argued in the end that three strategies based on them constitute the European competition state project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decline in output, as well as economic policies aimed at mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic. Both of these factors had an impact on the labour market. This paper investigates changes in employment across groups of workers during the coronavirus pandemic in Poland and the effect of output on these changes. Firstly, it examines changes in employment growth rates across different groups of workers in 2020. Secondly, the paper analyses the impact of the coronavirus crisis on employment by comparing actual and predicted employment growth during the pandemic period (2020). Using Okun's law, Ordinary Least Squares, and quarterly data, the elasticities of employment growth with respect to GDP growth in the pre-pandemic period (2003–2019) are calculated. These elasticities are then used to estimate projected employment growth during the pandemic. The results suggest that the total employment response to output change was relatively small, compared to the historical pattern. However, the response was unequal across groups of workers. The youngest workers, particularly women, and those with temporary employment contracts were most affected by the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to review the literature extensively by analysing recent work and providing a guide for models, data sets and research findings. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reviews the literature extensively by analysing recent work and providing a guide for models, data sets and research findings within the context of capital market imperfections. The authors further break down the literature into closer-in-nature categories for reader's convenience and comprehension. Finally, the authors address gaps in the existing literature and propose government policies that can tone down the potential effect of credit rationing on employment. Findings: This paper provides a map of the literature so as to help future researchers in the relevant literature and give a short insight of what has been explored so far. Originality/value: This paper is original and is the result of a thorough review of an extensive literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Question: The aim of paper is to identify value chain of the music industry and to determine the impact of music industry on employment in Serbia. Motivation: Creative industry is a very attractive topic among both scholars and professionals. A total of 52 sectors are considered as creative industry sectors, including music industry. Our goal was to identify the impact of the music industry on the economy, in addition to the entertaining and amusement value of the music. In order to do so, our goal was to understand all the sub-sectors and activities within music industries. Idea: Although excising NACE nomenclature of activities is rigid, our goal was to identify music industry activities within NACE codes, and to define how the value creation is distributed among various activities within the music industry value chain. Data: Measuring employment is based on combining data from the official statistics entities. Tools: Research required data on the four-digit level of activity (NACE), that were cross-referenced with the findings of the primary research and defined value chain activities of the music industries. Findings: The paper analyses the complexity of the value creation and value chain in the creative industries, specifically in the music industry. Findings support excising literature review and confirms complexity of the value chain in the music industries. In addition, the paper adds value to the scientific research by presenting novel approach that is based on using the Porter value chain model in the music industry and identifying a total of 29 activities within. Further, using created value chain model, paper results demonstrate the impact of the music industry on the employment in Serbia, that has been growing over the analysed period, no matter the COVID-19 crisis. Contribution: The paper expands the existing research related to creative industries and formulates the music industry value chain activities. The significance of this paper stems from the fact that, similar to other sectors within the creative industries, music industry is insufficiently covered by the data of the national statistical authorities. In addition, the paper measures the music industry impact on the employment in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2017 the Scottish Government passed the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act with the commitment to significantly reduce the relative child poverty rate from the current prevailing level of around 25% to 10% by 2030/31. In response, the government introduced the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) that provides a direct transfer to households at a fixed rate per eligible child – currently £25 per week. In this paper we explore, using a micro to macro modelling approach, the effectiveness of using the SCP to achieve the Scottish child poverty targets. While we find that the ambitious child poverty targets can technically be met solely using the SCP, the necessary payment of £165 per week amounting to a total government cost of £3 billion per year, makes the political and economy-wide barriers significant. A key issue with only using the SCP is the non-linearity in the response to the payment; as the payment increases, the marginal gain in the reduction of child poverty decreases – this is particularly evident after payments of £80 per week. A 'policy-mix' option combining the SCP, targeted cash transfers and other policy levels (such as childcare provision) seems the most promising approach to reaching the child poverty targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the short- and long-term effects of entering the Spanish labour market under tough economic conditions on young immigrant–native earnings and employment outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use cohorts, where the entry cohort into the labour market is the unit of observation. As a database, the authors use the continuous sample of working histories covering the period 2007–2021. Then, the authors estimate the model using weighted least squares. Findings: The results show that the great recession and COVID-19 led to a blockage at the entrance of the labour market, reducing the number of workers. Additionally, the authors observe an adverse impact in terms of employment and earnings on those entering the labour market. Besides, this effect varies in intensity and persistence for natives and immigrants, as well as by country of birth, age of entry, gender and educational level. Originality/value: A contribution to the literature is the analysis of the earnings and employment trajectories of young people entering the Spanish labour market for the first time during an adverse shock, such as the 2008 economic crisis or the COVID-19 crisis, and the possible differences that exist between native and immigrant workers. So, the authors analyse the labour market trajectories of workers covering the most recent years. Likewise, the authors carry out an extensive heterogeneity analysis in which they distinguish workers by educational level, gender, age of entry into the labour market and immigrants by their country of birth. This represents an additional contribution. The use of a cohort approach also contributes to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical care ratios are used to quantify and benchmark the activity of allied health professionals. This study aims to review previous recommendations and identify what variables may influence them. Method: Data was collected from the core allied health professions (audiology, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics, psychology, social work and speech pathology) across eight Australian hospitals. Data for 113 staff who were casual or from smaller professions (audiology, podiatry, prosthetics and orthotics and psychology) were excluded due to insufficient numbers for analysis. The remaining data were analysed according to profession, seniority (tiers 1, 2 and 3) and employment status (permanent versus casual staff). A two-way ANOVA was performed to assess the association of clinical care ratios with tier, profession, employment status and gender. Results: Data from 1246 staff from the five larger professions at participating hospitals were analysed. There were no interactions between profession and gender (P = 0.185) or employment status (P = 0.412). The relationship between clinical care ratio and profession was modified by tier (interaction term, P = 0.014), meaning that differences in clinical care ratios between professions depended on the tier. Conclusion: This research has confirmed that clinical care ratios are a useful tool in workload management and determining staffing levels for allied health professionals. The recommendations from this research provide a starting point that can be finessed with reference to profession, model of care, workforce structure, governance and training requirements. This will lead to increased staff wellbeing and improved patient outcomes. What is known about this topic? Clinical care ratios are a useful tool to quantify, monitor and compare workloads of allied health professionals. What does this paper add? This paper confirms that clinical care ratios are a useful workforce planning tool and that when developing roles and models of care, clinical care ratios need to be incorporated into staffing requests and considered as part of workload management tools. What are the implications for practitioners? Clinical care ratios enable the quantification and benchmarking of direct and clinical support activity components of a workload and can be used when planning new services and reviewing current services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study describes the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients and analyses the relationship between physiological factors, psychological factors, situational factors and fatigue in kidney transplant recipients. Background: Fatigue, as a common symptom after kidney transplantation, is affected by many factors, but the influence of some factors on the fatigue of kidney transplant recipients is still controversial. Design: This cross‐sectional study was designed based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms. Methods: Our survey involved 307 participants attending the kidney transplant outpatient clinic of a tertiary Class A hospital (Changsha, Hunan, China). Data were collected between February and April 2021 using a structured questionnaire and electronic medical records. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 25.0 (SPSS Inc.) Results: It was found that the incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was 53.1%. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, sleep quality, hypokalemia, anxiety, depression and education level were independent risk factors for fatigue in kidney transplant recipients. Conclusion: The incidence of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was high and was influenced by physical, psychological and situational factors. Clinical nurses should assess fatigue levels in a timely and multidimensional manner in clinical practice and provide effective and scientific guidance about fatigue self‐coping and symptom management for kidney transplant recipients. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Fatigue is a common symptom of kidney transplant recipients and can impair postoperative recovery, reemployment, quality of life, social activities and physical and mental states, causing the body to be in a state of chronic energy consumption.Owing to the imperceptible physical injury upon kidney transplant recipients, fatigue is often underappreciated or even disregarded. What this paper adds? It was found that the rate of fatigue in kidney transplant recipients was high.The risk factors for fatigue in kidney transplant recipients based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms were analysed in three ways: physiological, psychological and situational. The results showed that sleep quality, duration after transplantation, serum potassium level, anxiety, depression, education level, financial burden and social support were associated with fatigue in kidney transplant recipients. The implications of this paper: Clinical nurses should conduct timely and multidimensional fatigue evaluations of kidney transplant recipients and pay more attention to those with a high level of fatigue.The findings can provide a scientific basis for kidney transplant specialist nurses to conduct targeted interventions and facilitate fatigue management for kidney transplant recipients. They can also help to develop fatigue intervention models based on the displeasure symptom theory to improve fatigue in kidney transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the association between nurse education levels and patient‐related factors with hypertension self‐care. Background: Although self‐care development is recognized as a healthcare provider–patient encounter, the attribution of nurse education level to hypertension self‐care is not well addressed. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: Hypertensive patients from 15 primary care facilities were sampled, and self‐care was assessed using the Self‐Care of Hypertension Inventory version 2.0, with standardized scores ≥70 indicating adequate self‐care. Data on patient‐related factors were obtained from electronic health records, self‐reports and laboratory tests, while nurse education levels were categorized as standard (baccalaureate‐prepared) or higher (post‐baccalaureate specialty). Results: A total of 1493 participants were included in this study, with a median age of 66 years and 77.7% being female. Approximately 10% of participants had adequate self‐care, and 66% received care from higher educated nurses. The study showed the relation between nurse education levels and the self‐care of the patients. Adequate hypertension self‐care was significantly associated with higher educated nurse providers and patient‐related factors, including intermediate to higher education, non‐overweight/obese and the absence of age‐related comorbidities. Conclusions: Hypertensive patients who had been provided care by higher educated nurses and their favourable sociodemographic, lower cardiometabolic risk and no concomitant disease were more likely to demonstrate adequate self‐care. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Improving hypertension self‐care requires attention to both patient‐related and healthcare‐related factors.Clinical trial studies have established the effectiveness of nurse‐enhanced hypertension self‐care.There is currently a lack of evidence regarding the impact of nurse‐related factors, such as nurse education level, on hypertension outcomes in routine primary care practice and observational studies.What this paper adds? We confirmed that patient‐related factors, such as having intermediate to higher education, being non‐overweight/obese and not having aging‐related comorbidities, were associated with better hypertension self‐care.Patients who received care from higher educated nurses demonstrated better hypertension self‐care.The implications of this paper: To enhance hypertension self‐care, clinicians should prioritize individuals who have low levels of education, are overweight/obese and have aging‐related comorbidities.Preparing nurses with advanced competence through higher education could be a viable approach to improving hypertension outcomes in primary care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoted for their contribution towards decarbonising transport, encouraging modal shift, and improving health outcomes, bikeshare schemes (BSS) have developed worldwide. However, evidence suggests that fixed docking stations are often disproportionately located in white, high-income and high employment areas. Consequently, certain (often disadvantaged) communities may not be able to benefit as much as others from BSS. Interrelated issues concerning the built environment and socio-economic disadvantage include inequities related to population and residential accessibility, cycle lane access, docking station density and location, integration with public transport, access to city centres, universities, and unsafe areas. The paper reviews these aspects and discusses their implications for docking station planning practices that incorporate built environment insights and facilitate equitable access and use. Future research directions pertaining to examining the interrelationship between the built environment and disadvantage are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore perceptions and provides insights, from students who volunteer in policing whilst also studying the college of policing licenced professional policing degree (PPD) in Wales. It examines issues that act as enablers and blockers to volunteering in this public service, which also provides opportunities to develop their employability towards the careers to which they aspire. The paper provides insights from students and makes recommendations of interest to multiple stakeholders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally regarding attracting and recruiting volunteers. Design/methodology/approach: Focus groups were conducted with students at three separate universities in the South and West of Wales. These undergraduate students were volunteers in different police forces and agreed to take part in connection with their experiences. The results were analysed using NVivo to establish commonalities. Findings: The paper provides empirical insights concerning the issues surrounding the way those undergoing the process for recruitment as volunteers within policing are either hindered (blocked) or assisted (enabled). It identifies specific problematic areas as well as areas which have been of assistance. Policy makers, educators and recruiters should be aware of such blockers and enablers when considering adopting volunteering as an opportunity to enhance student employability. It also has resonance for other forms of volunteering in alternate public services. Research limitations/implications: This research is limited to those volunteers who are undertaking the licenced PPD at three separate universities in Wales. Although the research adds to the broader evidence-base with regards to volunteering and its use to enhance employability. Practical implications: The paper includes practical implications for multiple stakeholders including university programme educators, administrators and decision makers in policing with regards to volunteering, employability, programme structures and process management. Originality/value: The research is based upon the experiences and perceptions of those individuals who are actually engaged in volunteering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of male nurses towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination and to examine whether knowledge about the HPV vaccine affects attitudes and beliefs about HPV vaccines. Background: HPV is responsible for ≈5% of all cancers worldwide. Therefore, vaccination against HPV is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women. Methods: The study group included 383 male nurses who were asked to complete online questionnaires. The data were collected using the following tools: a sociodeomographical characteristics form, the Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (HPVKS), and The Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS). Results: It was determined that the general HPV knowledge of the male nurses participating in the study was at a moderate level, but their knowledge of HPV screening test, HPV vaccination, and current HPV vaccination programmes were at a low level. Male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low, and most of them did not intend to be vaccinated. In addition, CHIAS Attitudes and Beliefs scores of the male nurses were at an average level and HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of the nurses. Conclusion: These results demonstrate an opportunity to improve information and awareness about HPV and vaccines by nursing education. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Although HPV vaccination is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women, vaccination rates are far behind the target, especially for men. What this paper adds? Findings showed that male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low.Male nurses' knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was not sufficient.HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of these male nurses. The implications of this paper: Nurses need to be aware of the HPV vaccine during their undergraduate education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grandparents' retirement behavior has important support on mother's employment quality. This paper aims to estimate the influence of grandparents' retirement behavior on mother's employment quality, based on the China Family Panel Studies of 2018. The findings reveal a significant enhancement in mother's employment quality resulting from grandparents' retirement behavior. The mediating effect of grandparents' intergenerational caregiving explains approximately 68.77% of this improvement. Furthermore, the positive effect of grandparents' retirement behavior on mother's employment quality is more pronounced in families where the grandchild is older and in better health. Notably, the involvement of paternal grandparents yields more favorable outcomes compared to maternal grandparents. Findings from this study suggest that grandparent's retirement behavior play an important role in mother's employment quality through the provision of childcare assistance. Moreover, these findings highlight that the effectiveness of such support varies depending on the characteristics of both grandchildren and grandparents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationship between access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and family arrangements in the distribution of work in four Latin American countries. We find that households in which all children aged 0 to 5 receive ECEC services exhibit smaller gender gaps in unpaid work, mainly due to a decrease in the amount of time women devote to care work. Women in these households devote more time to paid work, such that the gender gap in total work does not differ between households based on use of ECEC services. However, use of ECEC services for children aged 0 to 5 is associated with reduced hours of unpaid work among women and an increase in women's hours of paid work. These findings confirm the importance of increasing access to early childhood care and education services to reduce gender gaps in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The income effect of rice–crayfish co-culture technology (RCT) is directly related to rate of adoption of farmers and the process of China's green development of agriculture. The aim of this study is to explore the income effect and income growth mechanism of rice–crayfish co-culture technology from the perspective of continuous adoption. With the treatment effect model (TEM), this paper empirically analyzes the income effect and income-generating mechanisms of RCT using field survey data from 736 farmers in the Jianghan Plain. As a result of this study, it was discovered that RCT will increase farmers' net agricultural income by RMB 83,430 if they continue to adopt it. Further examinations indicate that the optimal adoption period for RCT is four and a half years. Additionally, it has also been shown that non-farm employment positively moderates the relationship between continuous adoption of RCT and net agricultural income. Farmers who participate in non-farm employment and continue to adopt the RCT will experience an increase in net agricultural income by RMB 104,510. Therefore, our results suggest that it is necessary to encourage farmers to continuously adopt RCT and actively participate in non-farm employment to enhance the income effect of RCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the labor market returns to earning industry-certified credentials in the manufacturing sector. Specifically, the authors are interested in estimating the impact of a manufacturing credential on earnings and probability of employment, both overall and within the pre- and post-credential industry of employment. They link students who earned manufacturing credentials to their educational enrollment and completion records, and then further link them to IRS tax records for earnings and employment and to the American Community Survey and decennial census for demographic information. Earnings trajectories are presented for workers with credentials by demographic group, including age, race/ethnicity, gender, and educational attainment. To obtain more causal estimates of the labor market impacts of credentials, the authors implement a coarsened exact matching strategy to compare outcomes between otherwise similar people with and without credentials. Findings show that the attainment of a manufacturing industry credential is associated with increasingly higher earnings and a higher likelihood of labor market participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three field studies and a laboratory experiment reveal racial discrimination in financial loan services. The results show that (1) service employees provide Black (vs. White) customers with inferior service outcomes (i.e., products offered), (2) Black (vs. White) customers experience inferior service processes (employees' warmth/competence), and (3) Black (vs. White) customers report lower loyalty intentions toward the firm. Such discrimination is not only morally wrong and illegal; it is also bad for business. Therefore, the authors also show when and why racial discrimination is mitigated: namely, when Black customers signal higher socioeconomic status, or a Black customer's company (for which they seek the loan) has a more complex and sophisticated legal structure (corporation vs. sole proprietorship). Exploring this mitigation effect further, the authors show that a more sophisticated business structure increases the employee's trust toward Black customers, which reduces the perceived default likelihood and increases the likelihood to offer a loan; yet, this process does not emerge for White applicants. The findings point to managerial and policy implications to mitigate racial discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sheds light on the internal heterogeneity within the informal economy by examining the working conditions of migrant informal workers in China. It presents the first attempt to test the WIEGO model on the relationship between informality, income, poverty and gender. Based on 107,020 samples of informal workers from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), economic, social and occupational health components of working conditions of migrant informal workers in five employment-status tiers are analysed. The results show the significant heterogeneity within informal workers in terms of their income, working intensity, labour contracts, social security, union and community support. The relationships between the informal employment tiers and income, poverty and gender show a pattern that is not fully in line with the WIEGO model, suggesting the complexity and plurality of heterogeneities in informal employment. The paper concludes by calling for research on regional varieties of the heterogeneity in informal employment worldwide to better understand the unfolding of the inequality-informality nexus in specific contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the life of Samra Zafar’s as portrayed in her memoir A Good Wife: Escaping the Life I Never Chose (2019). Though the society tries its best to confine Zafar’s life according to culturally prescribed boundaries, she breaks every convention, makes herself identifiable in everyone’s eyes and sticks to her own view-point. Initially she was, at some level, confused and didn’t know whether to fulfill her personal demands or cultural conventions, which were continuously forcing her to live according to them, but then, with the course of time, she realizes everything and subverts every norm which, for her, was unacceptable. Generally, this work, along with female’s right, also talks about intimate-partner abuse, but this paper discusses only those points where the protagonist becomes aware about her mistreatment and takes action. Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) talks about females’ rights especially their involvement in outside affairs and is an important work in the history of feminist cause. Zafar’s memoir is analyzed through this lens. It is obvious that Friedan’s book elements are very similar with Zafar’s personal story; both of them discuss that how a woman can gain her autonomy and agency in a world where everyone is trying to put her back in the world of prison. Moreover, Zafar doesn’t gain an independent life for herself but also for others and becomes an inspiring soul, who tries her best to save others from the same situation. The outcomes, which are derived from this investigation, reveal the rebelliousness and enmity of protagonist towards society, where her education, employment and freedom of action or expression are of utmost significance for her, and she changes her fate with the aid of her intellective passions, especially education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, there exists a huge debate for a long time on whether a double dividend, reducing pollution emissions and boosting employment, can be achieved by intensifying environmental regulations. In this paper, we use two data sets on provincial environmental legislation and Chinese manufacturing firms during 1998–2013, to estimate the impact of provincial environmental legislation on the firms' employment growth with a difference-in-difference (DID) model. Results showed that (1) after the implementation of environmental legislation, the employment growth of regulated manufacturing firms decreases significantly by 3.07%, and this result is robust to alternative tests. (2) Local environmental legislation reduces employment growth mainly via the influencing mechanism of the firm's entry and exit, export, and innovation. (3) The local environmental legislation has heterogeneous impacts on employment growth in different industries and different regions, and the estimated effect is more obvious in high-pollution industries and areas with strong enforcement. (4) Environmental legislation significantly improves job destruction and reduces job creation, resulting in a − 3.86% job net increase. Due to the long-term implementation of extensive economic growth mode, China's ecological environment has been deteriorating since the 1990s, and environmental pollution has attracted more and more social attention. Until 2013, the Communist Party of China put forward 'ecological civilization', and building a beautiful new China with harmonious coexistence between man and nature has become an important development strategy. Meanwhile, starting from the implementation of the Two-Control-Zone policy in 1998, China has implemented numerous environmental policies in just ten years. These environmental policies have greatly improved the quality of China's ecological environment, but their economic effects have been controversial. Given the special historical period, this paper helps assess the impact of Chinese environmental policies on employment and provides a more objective policy evaluation and implications for improving existing laws and regulations to achieve higher social welfare. To achieve this goal of balancing the improvement of the ecological environment and high employment level, environmental policies firstly should be flexible to ensure that the environmental standards follow the firm's characteristics and regional characteristics to avoid "one size fits all". Particularly, for regions with poor economic development or having a single industrial structure, the implementation cycle of the environmental policies should be extended to ensure that they have enough time to achieve industrial restructuring and complete the environmental protection goals. Secondly, we find that environmental legislation hurts employment growth by limiting export decisions, so the government should use multiple channels to stabilize export when implementing environmental legislation. Thirdly, technological R&D and innovation play an important role in the effect of environmental legislation on firms' employment growth. Therefore, the government should provide a more flexible environment for firms' R&D and innovation with appropriate fiscal policies and technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to share learning about practical steps that can be taken to eliminate persistent racism from the workplace, including racism by people who have cognitive impairments who do not understand the impact of their behaviours. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is informed by qualitative research. An independent researcher was commissioned to recruit 45 black British, black African and black Caribbean women living in Norfolk and working for a range of employers. Parameters were agreed in advance (aims, consent, data protection). A list of questions was provided to the researcher. The questions covered experiences of prejudice and discrimination. Data collection included face to face/online/telephone interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. The researcher recorded the women's views and compiled them in a findings report. The report was shared with the women to confirm that their views had been recorded accurately. The author has also convened conversations with over 100 professionals representing providers of public services, including social and domiciliary care. Findings: The author identified that it will be impossible for employers to eliminate persistent racism from their workplaces until all managers consistently and diligently address every report of racism effectively, in line with the steps set out in this paper. The purpose is to establish, over time, a workplace culture where racism is never tolerated or allowed to persist, and workers and managers learn – and become more confident – to recognise, address and eliminate racism at work. Until this is embedded, racism affecting workers will continue to go unchecked and unacknowledged in the workplace. Research limitations/implications: The data gathered to inform this paper (specifically the research commissioned and described in this abstract, in addition to other data, such as conversations convened with professionals) is qualitative data. It cannot be assumed that the experiences of the people interviewed reflect the experiences of all people. However, the voices of participants have highlighted issues to inform future planning. Practical implications: The author must be clear that, so far there has been no definitive solution to persistent racism in the workplace. The learning so far is being shared with the hope that this assists others with developing strategies to eliminate persistent racism. Social implications: Workplaces across the UK are committed to eradicating racism. However, the rate of change is glacial. This research paper shares learning about how to address this, to increase the pace of change, to begin to genuinely eliminate persistent racism from the workplace. Originality/value: To the author's knowledge, the learning from this research is original and not replicated elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Egypt's labor market transition dynamics post-Arab Spring based on the two most recent rounds of the Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey conducted in 2012 and 2018. In addition to providing disaggregated level analysis by examining labor market transitions by gender, education, and age groups, our paper provides a cross-country perspective by comparing Egypt's labor market transitions with Jordan's. Regression analyses focusing on transitions to and from the dominant absorbing labor market states in Egypt – public sector employment for both genders, non-participation for women, and the informal sector for men – show that having a post-secondary education is associated with a lower probability of remaining out of the labor force (OLF) for women who were already OLF at baseline, while being married at baseline is found to be a significant predictor for women to stay out of the labor force if they were already so. As for men, the better educated are found to be more likely to secure formal employment, be it in the public or in the private sector, and also more likely to keep their public formal jobs once they secure them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States has long been a leading destination for immigrants looking for a better economic opportunity, refuge, or family reunification. The population of foreign-born residents in the US is immensely diverse in terms of country of origin, ethnicity, gender, age, and education. These characteristics can influence an immigrant's ability to integrate into American society. In this paper, I examine the impact of gender and level of education on the employment prospects of foreign-born residents from 2009 to 2022. First, my research concludes that higher levels of education lead to substantially better employment rates and wages for foreign-born residents. Second, my findings reveal that immigrant women, in comparison to their native-born peers, have made bigger strides in their labor participation, employment rates, and wages over the last decade versus immigrant men, who have remained more closely aligned with their respective native-born peers. I highlight some reasons why these two specific factors, gender and education, affect employment and wages and what policies could be adopted to improve the integration prospects for immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast development of engineering technologies forces a wide range of students to choose the technological path for their careers. Universities focus on theoretical study with limited practical exposure. To ensure students are prepared for the industry requirements, engineering universities set a core industrial experience for all students. This industrial experience aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry and to ensure students have gained the required industrial. The work in this paper highlights the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) hours for engineering students. The paper studies the impact of CPD hours on the critical skills of the student learning outcomes. A descriptive analytical methodology is applied to examine this impact. Thus, a survey of 34 questions was created and distributed to students at engineering schools in different universities across the MENA and Gulf Region. A sample of 234 answers is collected and analyzed using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). The results show that students agree that CPD activities can enhance their learning outcomes, teamwork skills, public speaking, and technical competencies. The results show that student believes that CPD activity may enhance their chance of securing employment within a short timeline after graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This cross‐sectional multicentre study aimed to determine the effect of interventions during vaginal birth for fear of childbirth. Methods: In this cross‐sectional and analytical study, 852 women who had a vaginal birth between 2019 and 2020 were enrolled. Data were collected using the Descriptive Questionnaire and Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale Version B. Results: The mean total Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale Version B score of the women was 97.00 ± 24.24, indicating severe and clinical levels of fear of childbirth. Moreover, 69.4% of the women had clinical, 18.6% had severe and 12% had moderate levels of fear of childbirth. During birth, women who had close supporters, who were allowed to move and who did not undergo amniotomy, enema, perineal shaving and electronic foetal monitoring had a low level of fear of childbirth. As the number of pregnant women in the labour room, frequency of vaginal examinations, duration of delivery/hour, severity of labour pain and negative perception of the approach of health professionals increased, the women's fear of childbirth increased. Fear of childbirth decreased as the frequency of antenatal follow‐ups, number of births and satisfaction levels of the women increased (p < 0.05). Low income perception, irregular prenatal follow‐up, severe labour pain and a long duration of labour were strong predictors of increased fear of childbirth. Increasing number of births, high birth satisfaction level and positive perception of the approach of health professionals were strong predictors of reduced fear of childbirth. Conclusions: The reduction of interventions in vaginal delivery and support from health care providers during delivery can be effective in reducing fear of childbirth. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Fear of childbirth (FOC) is a problem experienced by most women.Sociodemographic characteristics and past experiences can increase FOC.Birth interventions are common as the majority of births in Turkey take place in health institutions. What does this paper add? Women who have vaginal births appear to have severe and clinical levels of fear of childbirth. Multiparity, mobilization, high birth satisfaction and positive approaches by health care providers are strong predictors of reduced FOC.Enema, amniotomy and fundal pressure application, high‐intensity labour pain and a long duration of labour are strong predictors of increased FOC. The implications of this study: Many current routine interventions during childbirth should be avoided.The reduction of interventions in vaginal birth and support from health professionals during labour can be effective in reducing fear of childbirth and negative consequences related to FOC, as well as helping to achieve non‐invasive vaginal deliveries.It is recommended that hospitals be organized in line with the criteria of mother‐friendly hospitals, health professionals be trained and the environments in which women give birth be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has long-documented how Canada's temporary foreign worker programs (TFWP) foster workers' precarity through their status as non-citizens and living and working conditions, ultimately, impacting their health. While studies point to limited supports and services for workers, their role in reinforcing or alleviating the precarious conditions that migrant agricultural workers experience remains largely unexplored. This paper draws on interviews with 35 service providers in three migrant-intensive regions in southwestern Ontario, to explore how service providers describe and construct support. We explore the barriers workers face in accessing services, challenges providers experience in supporting workers, and strategies employed to surmount these barriers. We argue that this multiregional analysis is important to illuminate how support shapes and is shaped by the larger structural context, namely common features of Canada's TFWP. A more comprehensive understanding of support moreover, provides direction for sustainable interventions that can promote the health and wellbeing of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically studies the implications of attractive government jobs for labour market. Exploiting an age ceiling policy that sets the age limit for eligibility for public employment at age 30, the study finds that the likelihood of private sector employment is about five percentage points higher for ineligible than eligible at the cutoff age of 30, mainly driven by females, particularly after doubling the public service salaries. The increase in employment after expiring the eligibility for government jobs is explained by increasing labour force participation rather than declining unemployment. During the eligibility period, candidates repeatedly try for government jobs and delay the pursuit of other opportunities, incurring substantial monetary expenses, time costs, and opportunity costs of time. At the same time, there is some evidence that public sector exam preparation gives rise to brain gain. While several papers studied this phenomenon theoretically, this study contributes by providing empirical evidence. The data for this study was drawn from population censuses and labour force surveys for the period 1991–2017 and a primary survey conducted online for this study in Bangladesh, and labour force surveys of India for 2011–2012, 2017–2018, and 2019–2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole-of-course approaches have emerged as an important topic in the contemporary outcomes-based education environment. While research-informed accounts of whole-of-course approaches exist, most take undergraduate education as the default. Few examples feature postgraduate education where students seek career enhancement rather than entry. Employing case study methodology, this paper discusses an innovative whole-of-course approach taken in the design and delivery of an Australian postgraduate education course. What marks it as innovative, is that the whole-of-course approach consists of two interrelated strands: One follows a (more familiar) whole-of-course practice of scaffolding graduate attributes, course and subject learning outcomes and is primarily driven by university interests and academics. A second whole-of-course process works alongside the first but is driven by postgraduates' professional practice and career goals. The paper concludes by suggesting that a whole-of-course approach to design combined with a whole-of-course student process can reconcile postgraduates' learning needs with the interests of the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the association between family formation and the labour market trajectories of immigrants' descendants over the life course. Using rich data from the Trajectories and Origins survey from France, we apply multilevel event history models to analyse the transitions in and out of employment for both men and women by parity. We account for unobserved co-determinants of childbearing and employment by applying a simultaneous-equations modelling. Our analysis shows that women's professional careers are negatively associated with childbirth. There are differences across descendant groups. The female descendants of Turkish immigrants are more likely to exit employment and less likely to re-enter employment following childbirth than women from other groups. The negative impact of childbearing on employment is slightly overestimated among women due to unobserved selection effects. Among men, the descendants of European immigrants are less likely to exit employment after having a child than other descendant groups. The study demonstrates the negative effect of childbearing on women's employment, which is pronounced for some minority groups suggesting the need for further policies to help women reconcile work with family life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to the resolution of the scientific and practical problem of the search for possibilities of overcoming the described contradiction and a well-balanced improvement of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of labour in the information society 5.0. The authors' goal lies in determining the perspective of improvement of change management of the population's employment in information society 5.0 for its sustainable development. Based on the sample of 61 countries and using statistics of IMD and the UN for 2023, we provided the economic and mathematical explanation of the consequences of changes in the population's employment in information society 5.0 for its sustainable development. The authors' main conclusion is that it is possible and necessary to simultaneously improve or preserve at the current level the quantitative and qualitative priorities of the sustainability of the population's employment. The scientific novelty and originality of this paper are that to solve the problem posed we propose a novel—SAP–LAP—model, which is characterised by increased flexibility and adaptability to the dynamic environment of the labour market in information society 5.0. The theoretical significance of the authors' results and conclusions is that they allow, for the first time, the possibility of well-balanced improvement of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of labour in information society 5.0. The practical significance of the research results is that the compiled forecast of the systemic management of quantitative and qualitative changes in the population's employment in information society 5.0 can be put in the basis of the global "roadmap" of the labour market's sustainable development. The managerial significance of the authors' recommendations is that the SAP–LAP model will help optimise the modern international practice of state and corporate management of changes in the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the impact of the grant of the 'Scheduled Tribe' status to the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir. We interacted with community members in order to understand their views. The article is based on these responses, supplemented by inputs from published government reports and other secondary studies, and is an attempt to produce a nuanced understanding of the true import of reservation for the Gujjars. We seek to understand whether the affirmative action undertaken to protect the community has produced the desired level of shift in the community's marginal status in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The paper contends that the efficacy of affirmative action is not ensured by the duration of such measures, but by the presence of a robust political will to implement the same. In the case of the Gujjars, the success of these measures has been minimal on account of the tardy manner of enactment of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the changes in costs and employment at establishment level since 2013 when the mandatory retirement age was raised to 60. A simple difference in difference estimation suggests that labor costs have increased, employment has decreased in large firms and new hire has decreased among smaller firms. Salary-peak system was found to have mitigated the upward pressure on labor costs among small firms but no discernible effects were found for employment or new hire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how author connections influence paper outcomes at the Journal of Human Resources. Authors who attended the same PhD program, worked with, affiliate with the same National Bureau of Economic Research program(s), or are closely linked via coauthorship networks as the handling editor are more likely to avoid a desk rejection. Reviewer recommendations are similarly influenced by PhD and employment matches. Matching on signals of ability—such as top five publishing, attending a high-ranked PhD program, or working in a high-ranked department—also impact peer review decisions. We find some evidence that published papers with greater connectivity subsequently receive fewer citations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The literature has expounded on the impacts of international service-learning (ISL) in teacher education as positively affecting everything from improving academic achievement to developing a greater moral and ethical sense. Other studies have examined the role of cultural competence and dimensions of power between those providing and receiving service. Purpose: This paper examines a decade-long ISL immersion program to understand the outcomes on students in three key areas that have received attention in the literature: motivation, employment, and academics. Methodology: A longitudinal case study comprising a cross-section of students who were asked to reflect on their immersion experiences, which took place from 2011 to 2020. Reflective journals completed during and directly after each immersion supplemented the survey data. Findings: While much of the data supports previous studies regarding the impacts of ISL, there are some anomalous findings, especially in the longer-term effects of ISL within teacher education. While participants' perceptions of the impacts were significant, evidence of that impact was lacking. Implications: Although short-term impacts of the immersion were more significantly noted, students perceived the impact for more extended periods than previously thought. However, the evidence to suggest that these perceptions are realizable is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caribbean nations have leaned on and undergirded their early childhood programmes with Developmentally Appropriate Practices promulgated by the NAEYC. For many years the guidance provided by DAP has been used in both the development of standards of practice for early childhood professionals as well as curriculum development. In recent years however, as Caribbean nations have attempted to employ more Caribbean-centric approaches and understandings of Early Childhood Care and Education, the role of DAP and its applicability to Caribbean Early Childhood Care and Education systems have been questioned. Now that DAP has evolved to provide greater consideration to socio-cultural differences across settings, the role of DAP must be re-examined. This paper focuses on the evolving role of DAP in Caribbean early childhood settings. Importance will be placed on presenting the work of Caribbean early childhood educators in relation to the new philosophical and theoretical tenets of the fourth version of DAP. This paper identifies ways in which the revised DAP position guidelines more readily address cultural and social nuances of ECCE practice in the Caribbean. It also identifies areas where specific focus should be highlighted to ensure that DAP represents the Caribbean reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minijobs are subsidized small jobs below a fixed earnings threshold. Since a reform in 2003, they are viewed as stepping stones to the first labor market. However, the Minijob subsidy generates a 'Minijob trap' that causes vast bunching at the Minijob earnings threshold. Therefore, Midijobs were designed to reduce this bunching and to eliminate the 'Minijob trap'. Midijobs are employments that earn between the Minijob earnings threshold and the Midijob earnings threshold. In this range, Midijobs subsidize social insurance contributions on a sliding scale. This paper describes time trends in the propensity to leave Minijobs for regular employment and studies the role of Midijobs for transitions out of Minijobs. We find a strong increase in transitions from Minijobs to regular employment over time. However, there is no convincing evidence that Midijobs are connected to this development. Instead, behavioral changes and aggregate developments such as the business cycle and a booming labor market may have contributed to this development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain a deeper understanding of the human–land coupling relationship, this study analyzes the coupling relationships with the spatial distribution of construction land from two perspectives: the residential population and the employment population, exploring the similarities and differences in coupling relationships among different subsystems. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region of China is selected as the study area, covering the period from 2000 to 2020. An analytical framework is proposed, encompassing three approaches: coupling analysis based on county-level spatial units; mean center position analysis based on construction land grids; and regression fitting and residual analysis based on homogeneous grid units. The analysis results indicate: (1) the coupling between the employment population and construction land shows a significant advantage; (2) the coupling between the residential population and construction land has improved faster in recent years; (3) factors such as location, development level, and strategic opportunities have an important influence on the spatial and temporal changes in the coupling relationship. The study further discusses the trade-off relationship between different subsystems, key measures to enhance coupling degree, and the application pathways of this analytical framework at various stages of planning. Considering the limitations of industry sector differences, spatial unit precision, and construction land development intensity, this paper also outlines future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the main characteristics of employment in Russia, considers the peculiarities of their development. The dynamics of labor productivity and the structure of the employed population are analyzed in the sectoral context and taking into account international comparisons. The forecast of sectoral dynamics in labor productivity is evaluated depending on the speed and quality of economic growth. Here, the quality of economic growth is associated with the level and dynamics of technological development. The paper considers scenarios for medium-term development of the Russian economy and the forecasts of sectoral productivity for primary resources (as an indicator of technological changes in industries) and labor productivity achieved on their basis. The transition to forecast estimates of the number of employees was made taking into account the prospects for the country's demographic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postgraduate Taught study (PGT) students are often assumed to be confident and independent learners, and many possess a strong sense of professional identity and thus are perceived as not requiring support. This paper aims to address these perceptions. This paper presents a qualitative study of the experiences of PGT students at an Australian university who participated in a Transition In program that has been embedded in the curriculum. The primary aim was to explore the effectiveness of the Transition In program, which is the first step in a program-wide employability curriculum strategy. The findings of this study demonstrated that students' levels of confidence and engagement as well as their connection with their profession increased as a direct result of feeling supported. This paper highlights the importance of, and benefits gained by providing PGT students structured support to enable them to successfully transition into their program of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the experiences, concerns and perceptions of hospital clinical staff returning to work after parental leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An exploratory mixed-methods study was performed. Eligible staff employed at a large metropolitan tertiary health service in Melbourne, Australia, completed an ethics-approved anonymous online cross-sectional survey and/or participated in an interview between February and June 2021. Results: Ninety-six staff completed a survey and four participated in an interview. Staff reported both positive and negative aspects of being on parental leave during the COVID-19 pandemic including disappointment their leave had not gone as planned; feeling isolated from family and friends; wanting greater communication from their health service; appreciating the increased opportunities for them and their partner to be at home and bond with their baby; and concerns about returning to work such as limited knowledge of COVID-19 workplace policies and potentially infecting their baby and family. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on the parental leave and return to work experiences of hospital clinical staff. The findings suggest that staff would benefit from formal return to work policies and programs including regular contact with their manager while on parental leave and workplace reorientation on their return, especially during events such as a pandemic. What is known about the topic? Healthcare workers often experience additional challenges and stressors returning to work after parental leave compared to other workers. What does this paper add? The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on the parental leave and return to work experiences of healthcare workers who reported positive and negative aspects including isolation, limited workplace communication and increased opportunities for bonding with their baby. What are the implications for practitioners? Appropriate organisational initiatives may alleviate staff distress and support their return to work and could include formal return to work programs, regular managerial contact and workplace reorientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The United States is increasingly recognizing period product insecurity, insufficient access to menstrual products and limited private spaces for managing menstruation due to financial constraints, as an issue impacting the well-being and dignity of Americans. One strategy to address period product insecurity has been distributing free period products via period supply banks. The outcomes of period product distribution outside the school setting are absent from the literature. Objectives: This study, a formative evaluation of the free period product distribution efforts of the Alliance for Period Supplies, aims to identify (1) characteristics of individuals receiving products from period supply banks and their experiences of period product insecurity and (2) health and social outcomes experienced by recipients of free period products. Design: Survey data collection occurred at two points: baseline and one-year follow-up. All study participants provided verbal consent. Methods: Between Fall 2018 and Spring 2020, 1863 baseline and 80 follow-up surveys were administered. Participants received free period products for themselves and/or a household member from one of 20 participating Alliance for Period Supplies period supply banks directly or from one of their 64 partner agencies. Results: At baseline, 72.4% of participants had to choose between buying period products and another basic need. One year after accessing a period supply bank, 36.3% of participants reported this experience (p = 0.018). Participants reported at baseline, on average, 7.8 days in the past year of avoiding seeing others, canceling appointments, or skipping work or school because they did not have access to period products. At follow-up, this was reduced to 1.2 days, on average, t (68) = 2.214, p < 0.05. Conclusion: Period supply banks play an essential role in facilitating access to period products and the resulting benefits. Our study highlights the need for sustainable, well-funded policies and interventions to address period product insecurity effectively in society. Plain Language Summary: How people in the United States benefit when they get free period products from a period supply bank Why we did this study: In the United States, many individuals cannot afford to buy period supplies and the other stuff they need to live. Period supply banks want to help by giving them free period products. Researchers do not know if getting free period products is helpful for individuals. What we wanted to learn: The Alliance for Period Supplies is a membership program for period supply banks. We wanted to learn about the individuals who get free period products and whether getting them was helpful. What we did: For a year, starting in Fall 2018, we asked 1863 individuals to fill out paper surveys. A year later, we asked 80 of those same individuals to fill out a second survey. We asked participants to take the survey if they got free period products from a period supply bank for themselves or someone they live with. Individuals only participated in the study if they told us they wanted to. What we learned: Individuals who cannot afford period products must navigate difficult decisions between purchasing products or choosing other basic needs. Providing free products through a period supply bank has lessened the burden on these individuals, reducing the number who had to choose. Individuals unable to afford period products may sometimes opt out of going places they want to go for pleasure or miss important events, like work or school, because they do not have period products. Getting free period products has eased these challenges, letting individuals participate more fully in activities and engagements without worry about period products. Why is this important: Period supply banks are essential places where individuals receive free period products. The period supply banks need more individuals, including our government, to donate period supplies or money to buy them so they can help more individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the role of high-speed rail (HSR) in promoting talent mobility and explores its heterogeneous impact in the employment distribution of local and neighboring regions. This empirical study uses data from 249 prefecture-level cities across the country from 2005 to 2018, combined with geographic spatial vector data. The results show that HSR connection significantly increases local city employment by 5.99%. This result is robust to a series of robustness tests. Heterogeneity results indicate that HSR connection has a significant positive effect on employment in eastern China and large cities, indicating a significant labor inflow from less-developed areas to more-developed areas. Moreover, HSR has a spill-over effect for employment in cities without HSR stations but within a 70 km radius. This spill-over effect is more salient for cities of medium size and in southern China. The mechanism analysis shows that the positive impact of HSR connection on employment mainly stems from the entry of new firms especially those in high-tech industries. This study not only highlights the important role of high-speed rail in promoting labor mobility and employment distribution but also provides strong evidence and insights on how to meet the demand for professionals in closed-loop system innovation and circular economy practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attrition intentions continue to impact workers within the architectural profession, despite a significant dedication of time and effort towards higher education, skill development and professional licensure. Moreover, it is a significant disruptor to sustainable business planning. This paper investigates factors impacting career wellbeing and longevity, registration status and attrition intentions across a group of architecture graduates to provide preliminary findings into the exit destinations of those having left or intending to leave the profession. Using a conceptual framework established through the literature, qualitative and quantitative data were collected through an investigative online survey across 32 architects and architecture graduates from [Name withheld] University's architecture program in Australia. Results reaffirm that no singular factor is responsible for attrition, although several themes are specific to architecture, as follows: salary versus expected hours worked, architectural registration difficulties and a discontent or lack of wellbeing within the role or work environment. The data suggest that common exit destinations for architecture graduates include roles similarly aligned within the built environment, such as landscape architecture, construction, real estate and urban planning. This paper contributes to a gap in understanding where exactly architecture graduates and professionals go when they leave and the motivating or demotivating factors that drive such alternative pursuits. It underscores the importance and value of addressing the wellbeing and career longevity of a skilled and valuable workforce in order to address and combat high attrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often presumed that when students complete a particular entry course at college, the acquisition of that qualification should grant access to the next, higher level of study. There is a dearth of academic research on the actual progression outcomes for so-called not in education, employment, and training (NEET) and disengaged youth, enrolled on an employability course. Purportedly, the employability qualifications should enable students to progress towards higher levels of study, but do they? Adopting a case study approach, research was conducted with seven tutors and 26 students enrolled on the 2013 and 2014 Level 1 Achieving Skills Course, an employability course delivered at The Site, a FE college in the East Region. The college’s database was also accessed to review success and progression outcomes. Highlighting discrepancy and controversy, key findings revealed that most participants were unable to progress onto higher level courses at The Site. Instead, they were recorded as either NEET or destination unknown. This paper reveals key factors impeding progression and the reification of NEET identities on this course. It calls for political debate and a sharper inspection into the quality of re-engagement provisions for so-called NEET and disengaged youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workers with demanding jobs are at risk of experiencing mental stress, leading to decreased performance, mental illness, and disrupted sleep. To detect elevated stress levels in the workplace, studies have explored stress measurement from physiological, psychological, and behavioral perspectives. This paper reviews the assessment methods and strategies for mitigating mental stress in the workplace and provides recommendations for early detection and mitigation of mental stress. Among the modalities, Electroencephalography (EEG), Electrocardiography (ECG) and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) were found to be the most used in assessing mental stress in the workplace. Nevertheless, these modalities are sensitive to motion artifacts and are difficult to be integrated into real work environments. To further improve stress level assessment in the workplace, multimodality integration with a reduced number of sensors such as EEG, GSR and Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be utilized. This would lead to developing strategies for stress management in real-time. Furthermore, combining EEG with fNIRS would improve source localization of mental stress. To mitigate stress, we recommend developing a closed loop system that incorporates brain data acquisition systems and machine learning with physical stimulations such as audio Binaural Beats Stimulation and/or Transcranial Electric Stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]