7 Comments

Great article, Bob! You may also be interested in a 2023 report on this issue from the International Transport Workers Federation, "Essential public services, essential workers’ health: union-based initiatives to protect the mental health of young public transport workers" (210 pages, 33 MgB): https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/essential-public-services-essential-workers-health-union-based-initiatives-protect-mental

A briefing paper to accompany this report is also available here (10 pages, 1.4 MgB, attached):

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/reports-publications/essential-public-services-essential-workers-health-briefing-paper

Expand full comment

Thank you so much, Paul.

I appreciate the resources. I have to confess that I really wish I was aware of them before I wrote the article. I don't know how I missed them.

(For others reading this thread: The link to the briefing paper is https://www.itfglobal.org/en/resources/essential-public-services-essential-workers-health-briefing-paper)

Paul, I'm very much aware of your tremendous contributions to the science of employee health over the years. Thank you for all you do.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Bob! Sometimes, organizations' reports don't get distributed as widely as they should compared, say, with publicizing articles on PubMed. Hopefully, your blog's great contents and the link to the ITF report will help share this important message.

Expand full comment

Another well researched and well thought through article, thanks Bob. While I love the specifics and the detail, the opening quote from the study in the NYT feels like a rallying call or mantra for our industry: "More emphasis must be placed on the greater benefits of organisational rather than individual change." I'll be using that myself, if you don't mind :-)

Expand full comment

What a shame! Bus drivers are so important in our communities. I wish conditions were better for them. Where I live, the bus drivers treat passengers really well, and are so appreciated.

Expand full comment

Maybe the drivers where you live have better job conditions, Diane. I don't know. As with any frontline, I think some drivers will be lovely no matter the conditions. But I'll speculate that when there's a trend of rudeness on the part of drivers in a particular city — and it certainly happens — the job conditions are less than optimal. (But I'm not making excuses for unkindness.). I know it's no great revelation, but... people who are treated well are more likely to treat others well.

Expand full comment

They are highly valued in the community I live in.

Expand full comment