The rapidly developing processes of science, technology, and industrialization have brought about social changes as well. The industrialization process experienced by each country greatly affects the working life, occupational health, and safety of that country. When examining the working life between employers and workers in terms of job efficiency and continuity, ensuring the health and safety conditions of employees has become a fundamental requirement. Although the concept of health varies by country, a common definition has been established in this regard. According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.”
Common occupational diseases also cover the aspect of this definition related to working life. Some diseases occur more frequently depending on the job in different professions. For instance, teachers are prone to chronic pharyngitis because they have to talk a lot. The diseases workers are prone to also vary depending on the profession. For example, the diseases frequently encountered by white-collar workers differ from those of blue-collar workers. The reason for this difference lies in the work environment and conditions.
After general information, let’s examine the diseases frequently encountered by white-collar workers. Let’s find out which occupational diseases are more common in this profession group. However, in order to understand the subject, we need to answer questions such as “What is a white-collar worker?” and “What are occupational diseases?” Afterward, we will learn about the diseases frequently encountered by white-collar workers.
What is a White-Collar Worker? One of the concepts you often hear when you graduate or enter working life is “white-collar” and “blue-collar.” In fact, these two terms arise from the division of workers in an organizational setup based on organizational criteria. So, what is the white-collar term based on this division? White-collar workers refer to those who work with brain power rather than physical strength, typically in desk jobs. It spans a wide range from clerks to managerial positions. White-collar workers are involved in administrative, research, and development jobs, among others, that do not rely on manual labor.
White-collar professions mainly include positions like engineering, production management, quality management, R&D, clerking, sales, and marketing. This profession group is more involved with technology, particularly in the field of communication technologies. They generally work from desks. Compared to blue-collar workers, they use more brain power. What then is a blue-collar worker? A blue-collar worker refers to those who work with physical labor or are paid hourly or daily. They are typically employed in manual labor jobs.
Blue-collar workers use more physical power compared to mental power and can be paid by salary, hourly, or daily wages. They represent the working class. There is a distinction in terms of labor between blue-collar and white-collar workers. Blue-collar workers primarily use physical labor alongside mental effort. The work environment for blue-collar workers includes factories, fields, industrial areas, etc. Blue-collar workers usually perform their jobs while standing, while white-collar workers typically sit.
A person in a white-collar profession generally has stricter dress codes. For example, they must wear a suit and maintain a neat appearance. Blue-collar workers, on the other hand, have more flexibility with their attire. After learning about these two profession groups, we can better understand the occupational diseases they commonly encounter.
Due to the differences in work environments, conditions, and job separations, the occupational diseases they encounter are also distinct. So, what are the occupational diseases that white-collar workers face? To better understand this subject, we need to first familiarize ourselves with the concept of occupational diseases.
What are Occupational Diseases? This term refers to a temporary or permanent illness caused by repeated exposure to the nature of the job a person is performing. It also includes conditions that result in physical or mental disabilities. The occurrence of occupational diseases is due to the work environment and the nature of the work itself. This distinction brings to mind the differences in the working environments and conditions between blue-collar and white-collar workers. These differences in the two profession groups also affect the diseases they contract.
Occupational diseases are illnesses that occur more frequently among people working in the same profession compared to the general population. These diseases are preventable. Preventing these diseases is a legal obligation. The cause of these diseases lies within the workplace. The formula for occupational diseases can be expressed as: Cause + Workplace = Occupational Disease. These diseases show a specific and strong connection to the profession.
There are specialized clinical laboratories for occupational diseases. The incidence of these diseases is significantly higher among individuals in the same profession. There is a national and international list of occupational diseases. This list includes:
- Lists developed by countries
- WHO; ICD-10 Occupational Disease Diagnostic Codes
- LO; Occupational Disease List (2010)
In our country, the list of occupational diseases is prepared in five sections:
- Group A: Occupational diseases caused by chemicals, consisting of 67 diseases in 25 subgroups.
- Group B: Occupational skin diseases, including 2 subgroups of diseases.
- Group C: Pneumoconiosis diseases, including 9 diseases in 6 subgroups.
- Group D: Occupational infectious diseases, including 30 diseases in 4 subgroups.
- Group E: Occupational diseases caused by physical agents, including 12 diseases in 7 subgroups.
After familiarizing ourselves with this information, let’s explore the occupational diseases faced by white-collar workers.
What are the Most Common Occupational Diseases among White-Collar Workers?Back Pain: Whether a white-collar or blue-collar worker, back pain is one of the most common ailments. Research has shown that two out of every three people experience back pain at some point in their lives. This is a relatively high rate. In particular, we need to examine the factors that contribute to back pain in working life. These factors can be avoided by taking the proper precautions. To prevent back pain, both workers and employers need to take preventive measures.
A healthier environment must be created by taking the necessary steps. Once someone experiences back pain, it is not an easy disease to cure. A white-collar worker typically works sitting at a desk. For someone who spends all day sitting at a desk, working on a computer, and communicating while seated, back pain is very common. The cause of back pain is not necessarily lifting heavy loads or making wrong movements.
It can result from staying still all day, sitting constantly, making improper movements, sudden movements, or uncomfortable seating. By paying attention to these factors, we can minimize the occurrence of back pain. Workers who take the necessary precautions and care for their health contribute to greater productivity both for themselves and the company.
Stress: Recent office work, longer working hours, high success expectations, and growing demands have significantly increased stress. Workers under stress continue their tasks unhappily, uneasily, and with anxiety. Their self-confidence decreases significantly under stress, making them more prone to anger, attention problems, and fatigue. This situation reduces workplace productivity.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is common among those working in intense environments. Companies must develop policies to reduce stress. This way, they will protect both their employees’ health and the company’s performance.
Mobbing: Mobbing, also known as harassment, refers to a group of people or an individual targeting another person or group with psychological pressure. It is often seen in white-collar workplaces and can also occur among blue-collar workers. Mobbing is a form of psychological terror in the workplace.
It is more common in competitive environments. Examples of mobbing include being interrupted frequently, constant negative criticism of one’s work, and receiving threatening phone calls. If social relationships at work are attacked, or if colleagues ignore you or refuse to communicate with you, these are signs of mobbing. Mobbing begins with disagreements about work or behavior and escalates as the harasser adopts more aggressive tactics.
The continuous nature of such actions eventually leads to the victim leaving the job voluntarily or being dismissed. Mobbing can cause psychological damage, including paranoia, confusion, anxiety, fear, and shame. It can also lead to sleep disorders and depression. In our country, mobbing has become a more common issue in recent years.
In addition to these situations, this profession group may also encounter eye diseases, noise-induced conditions, and other ailments.