Journal Reviews: HH aide job satisfaction affected by safety

Journal Reviews

HH aide job satisfaction affected by safety

Retain aides by limiting unsafe environments

Although independence is an attractive feature of working in home health, job satisfaction can be affected negatively if the home health worker does not feel safe. Because home health aides work in the patients' homes as opposed to a clinic or central healthcare facility, it is important that agencies' address the safety risk factors within their control to improve the work environment and retain valuable employees, according to a recent study.¹

Survey data collected from 823 New York City home health agencies was analyzed to determine how the perceived safety of the work environment affected retention. Household and job-related risks, environmental factors, threats, verbal and physical abuse, and potential for violence were significantly correlated with a decrease in job satisfaction and an increase in home health aide turnover, according to the authors.

The authors conclude that agency management that is receptive to employee concerns and takes action to reduce the risk of unsafe job assignments will experience higher job satisfaction rates and improved retention.

Reference

1. Sherman MF, Gershon RR, Samar SM, et al. "Safety factors predictive of job satisfaction and job retention among home healthcare aides." J Occup Environ Med. 2008; 50(12): 1430-1441.