COVID-19-Related Workplace Bullying and Customer Harassment Among Healthcare Workers Over the Time of the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Eight-Month Panel Study of Full-Time Employees in Japan

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the prevalences of COVID-19-related workplace bullying and harassment (WBH) and customer harassment among healthcare workers (HCWs) compared to non-HCWs during COVID-19 outbreaks.Methods:A baseline (March 2020) and follow-up surveys (May, August, and November 2020) were conducted of full-time employees, with an online questionnaire that included items on COVID-19-related WBH and customer harassment. The prevalences were compared between HCWs and non-HCWs using generalized linear models with repeated measures.Results:A total of 800 (56%) respondents completed all the surveys. Prevalences of WBH and customer harassment were 5% to 10% and 10% to 13%, respectively, among HCWs during the follow-up. HCWs had a significantly higher prevalence of WBH in May (Adjusted OR = 2.3) and customer harassment in November (Adjusted OR = 2.7), compared to non-HCWs.Conclusions:HCWs remained at high risk of COVID-19-related WBH and customer harassment during the pandemic.