Perceived discrimination from management and musculoskeletal symptoms among New York City restaurant workers

Abstract

Background: Compared with other restaurant hazards, organizational stressors are an understudied topic. Among organizational stressors, discrimination from management (DFM) appears widespread. Objective: Objectives were to assess the prevalence and links between musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) in three anatomical regions and five sources of DFM. Methods: A cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey among restaurant workers was used. Participants were randomly selected by type and geographic distribution. Results: Eighty-four percent of workers reported having MSSs in at least one anatomical region. The prevalence of severe MSSs was 24.9%. The strongest association between DFM and frequency of MSSs was "upper extremities." The strongest association between DFM and severity of MSSs was "any anatomical location." Thirty-four percent of restaurant workers reported DFM; age was the most prevalent source of DFM. Conclusions: In general, associations between DFM and MSSs were stronger by frequency than severity. The largest number of significant associations by sources of DFM was language and age.