International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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Prof. Dr. Allison Williams

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Science, School of Geography & Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
Interests: employee health; carer-workers; well-being; carer-friendly workplaces; partnership research; unpaid care work; care economy

Prof. Dr. Bharati Sethi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Political Studies, Champlain College, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
Interests: employee health; well-being; arts-based; immigration; refugees; participatory; policy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue addresses a critical aspect of the care economy, exploring the role of workplace policies and programs on the emotional/mental health and physical well-being of employees. Particular attention will be given to carer-employees (CEs), defined as individuals who work in paid employment and provide unpaid care to adults with an age-related need, long-term illness, and/or physical/mental condition. The number of CEs in Canada and worldwide increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many CEs, the COVID-19 pandemic added additional economic, psychological and physical risks due to the intersecting inequities based on socioeconomic status, race, immigration status, geographic location, and sexual orientation, among other factors. There is a need to reassess our understanding of employment policies and programs to ensure that post-recovery employment structures are equitable, allowing CEs to sustain their health and wellbeing and ideally thrive in the post-pandemic future.

Prof. Dr. Allison Williams
Prof. Dr. Bharati Sethi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

carer-employees
care economy
unpaid care work
carer-friendly workplace policies/ programs

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

19 pages, 411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Commonalities and Differences in the Experiences of Visible Minority Transnational Carer–Employees: A Qualitative Study

by Reemal Shahbaz, Allison Williams, Bharati Sethi and Olive Wahoush

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(18), 6800; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186800 - 21 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1156

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the commonalities and differences among the experiences of visible minority Transnational Carer–Employees (TCEs) before and after COVID-19. TCEs are immigrants who live and work in the country of settlement while providing caregiving across international borders. Purposive and snowball sampling resulted in the participation of 29 TCEs of Pakistani, Syrian, African, and South American origin living in London, Ontario. Thematic analysis of the dataset using the ATLAS.ti software, Version 23.2.1., generated three themes: (1) feelings associated with transnational care; (2) employment experiences of TCEs; and (3) coping strategies for well-being. The results of the secondary analysis conducted herein suggested that there are more similarities than differences across the four cohorts. Many participants felt a sense of satisfaction at being able to fulfill their care obligations; however, a different outlook was observed among some Syrian and African origin respondents, who disclosed that managing care and work is overwhelming. Most TCEs also reported facing limited job options because of language barriers. While various interviewees experienced a lack of paid work and reduced income after COVID-19, a distinct perspective was noted from African descent TCEs as they expressed facing increased work demands after the pandemic. Participants additionally revealed four common coping strategies such as keeping busy, praying, family support, and staying active. Study implications include the promotion of Carer-Friendly Workplace Policies (CFWPs) that can facilitate the welfare of unpaid caregivers. This research is important as it may inform policymakers to create opportunities that may not only foster economic stability of TCEs and the Canadian economy, but also contribute towards a more equitable society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work–Life Policies, Employee Health and Well-Being)

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