preprints.org > public health and healthcare > public, environmental and occupational health > doi: 10.20944/preprints202410.1273.v1 (registering DOI)

Preprint Article Version 1 This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 15 October 2024 / Approved: 16 October 2024 / Online: 16 October 2024 (11:50:04 CEST)

During the Covid-19 pandemic, although the experience of workers and managers was examined, the role, experiences and functions of supervisors was relatively underexplored, with no investigation into their changing health and safety responsibilities. This project attempted to fill this gap. Twenty supervisors across Canada were interviewed for an hour. A Framework Method guided the study. We used a conceptual framework of 10 supervisor functions to help direct the data collection, identify codes, manage and organize the data analysis, and identify major themes which were highlighted in the findings. What was found was that since supervisors did not have access to workers’ homes, they could not execute most of their OHS functions. They were obliged to give workers more control over how and when they worked. They Increased their communications with their workers in response to workers’ psychological health concerns. Notably, supervisors reported that they were under extreme stress. A hybrid work environment, with workers sometimes working at home, has become the new norm. Supervisor stress will continue to escalate unless upper management provides more support, supervisors get training on how to deal with the psychological health and safety of workers, and supervisors’ responsibilities are re-defined for at-home workers.

Supervisors; working from home; psychological health and safety; stress; hybrid work; occupational health & safety; supervisor responsibilities; qualitative research; Covid-19

Public Health and Healthcare, Public, Environmental and Occupational Health

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