Goldsmiths - University of London

Dr Joanna Yarker

BSc MSc PhD CPsychol

Occupational psychology, occupational health psychology; work stress; rehabilitation and return to work, interventions, chronic illness, cancer, management, leadership

I am committed to conducting need-driven applied research that has practical benefits for employees and organisations. My research focuses on developing an understanding how people with chronic illness, or those working under pressure, stay in work or return to work following sickness absence.  I am interested in how the organisation, particularly managers, work with the employee to maintain effective and productive employment.  In addition to this research, I also work with a number of organisations in the area of selection, assessment and development.

Research interests

Line managers and work stress (HSE, CIPD, IIP and Consortium funding)
Line managers play a pivotal role in workplace stress management. Working with Emma Donaldson-Feilder and Rachel Lewis, our research defines a set of ‘stress management competencies’ that managers need in order to manage stress effectively in their teams.  These stress management competencies can be used in a variety of ways to ensure managers in your organisation show the relevant behaviours in their people management approach. I have also been working with Dr Karina Neilsen, Denmark, on a number of leadership and health projects.
For further information see www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/health/stress/_lnstrswrk.htm

Return to work following sickness absence
Working with Dr Fehmidah Munir, this research aims to better understand the work-related needs of those working, or returning to work following sickness absence.  We have recently completed a report for the Mental Health Foundation exploring the role of depression following return to work – examining the employment experiences, and the impact of depression, for those returning to work following a period of absence due to back pain, anxiety and depression, heart disease and cancer.  We are also working on a number of projects that focus on cancer survivors’ experience of managing work and cancer.

We have recently been awarded a grant by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation to to explore how various line manager behaviours either facilitate or act as a barrier to employee return to work following cancer, back pain, heart disease or depression and anxiety. It is hoped that this will lead to guidance for line managers, practitioners and employers to help them achieve effective return-to-work outcomes, together with a questionnaire tool to identify areas where the line manager may need additional support and guidance.

If you, or your organisation, are interested in learning more about this research, or would like to participate in our current study please contact Ben Hicks on b.hicks (@gold.ac.uk).

Autism and Employment

Working with Dr Elisabeth Hill, the Autism and Employment Study aims to evaluate the employment experiences of parents of children with autism and ASD, and of adults with autism and ASD. 

For a summary of this research, or to participate in our research, please visit our Autism and Employment Study page.

Selected publications

Donaldson-Feilder, E., Yarker, J. & Lewis, R. (2008). Management competencies for preventing and reducing stress at work, in J. Houdmont & S. Leka (Eds.) Occupational Health Psychology: European Perspectives on Research, Education and Practice (Vol. III), Nottingham, UK: European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology and Nottingham University Press.

Kennedy, F., Haslam, C., Munir, F. & Pryce, J. (2007). Return to work following breast cancer: a qualitative exploratory study into the experience of returning to work following cancer. European Journal of Cancer Care, 16,17-25.

Munir, F., McKay, C., Yarker, J., Haslam, C., Kazi, A., & Cooper, L. (2008). Back, but not better. Ongoing mental health hampers return to work outcomes. Occupational Health at Work. February 2009.

Munir, F., Pryce, J., Haslam, C.O., Leka, S. & Griffiths, A. (2006) ''Gender differences in managing chronic illness at work: Exploring predictors for disclosure'', Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 25, 173-180. 

Munir, F., Yarker J., & Haslam C. (2008). Sickness absence management: encouraging attendance or risk-taking presenteeism in employees with chronic illness?. Disability and Rehabilitation, 30, 19, 1461-1472

Munir, F., Yarker J., Haslam, C., Long, H., Leka, S., Griffiths, A., & Cox, S. (2007) Work factors related to psychological and health-related distress among employees with chronic illnesses. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation,17 (2), 259-277..

Munir, F., Yarker, J., & Haslam C. (2007). Use of prescribed medication at work in employees with chronic illness. Occupational Medicine, 57, 480-487

Munir, F., Yarker, J., Haslam, C., Kazl, A., Cooper, L., and Mackay, C. (2008). The role of depression following return to work. The Mental Health Foundation, London.

Nielsen, K., Randall, R., Yarker, J., & Brenner, S-O. (2008). The effects of transformational leadership on followers' perceived work characteristics and psychological well-being: A longitudinal study Work & Stress, Volume 22 Issue 1, 16-32

Nielsen, K., Yarker, J., Brenner, S., Randall, R.,  & Borg, V.  (2008). The importance of transformational leadership style for the well-being of employees working with older people. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 63(5), 465-475

Pryce, J., Albertsen, K., Nielsen, K. (2006). Work hours interventions: The benefits of choosing the hours you work.  Journal of Nursing Management, 14, 282-288.

Pryce, J., Munir, F. & Haslam, C., (2007). Cancer survivorship and work: Symptoms, supervisor response, co-worker disclosure and work adjustment.  Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 17 (1), 83-92(IF 1.63)

Richards, D., & Pryce, J. (2006) Emotional intelligence, wellbeing and performance. Competency and Emotional Intelligence, 13 (3), 41-46.

Yarker, J., & Munir, F. (2007). Performance and Well-being. CIPD Publications: London.

Yarker, J., Donaldson-Feilder, E., & Lewis, R. (2008). Management competencies for preventing and reducing stress at work. Identifying and developing the management behaviours necessary to implement the HSE Management Standards: Phase Two. Report no. RR633. Health and Safety Executive. London. 

Yarker, J., Donaldson-Feilder, E., Lewis, R. & Flaxman, P. (2007). Management competencies for preventing and reducing stress at work. Identifying and developing the management behaviours necessary to implement the HSE Management Standards. Report no. RR553. Health and Safety Executive. London.

Grants & awards

Pryce, J. & Donaldson-Feilder, E. (2005). Identifying and developing the management behaviours necessary to implement the HSE Management Standards.  Health and Safety Executive. (18 months).

Munir, F., Haslam, C., Pryce, J. (2006). The role of depression following return to work. Mental Health Foundation. Held at Loughborough University. (18 months).

Yarker, J., Donaldson-Feilder, E., & Pickering, A. (2007). Identifying and developing the management behaviours necessary to implement the HSE Management Standards: Phase 2. Health and Safety Executive.  (18 months).

Yarker, Donaldson-Feilder, Munir. (2008). Return to work following sickness absence. British Occupaitonal Health Research Foundation. (18 months).

Munir, Yarker, Kalawasky, Haslam (2008). Exploring interventions for chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction and ability to work. Breast Cancer Campaign. (12 months) Held at Loughborough University.