Not having job flexibility or security can leave workers feeling depressed, anxious and hopeless

The Impact on Mental Health

When employees don’t have control over their work schedules, it’s not just morale that suffers – mental health takes a hit too. As a public health expert, I know that the way our jobs are designed can affect our well-being. Research has shown that flexibility, security, and autonomy in the workplace are strong determinants of health.

To understand how powerful they are, my colleagues and I looked at the 2021 National Health Interview Survey, a major data collection initiative run out of the National Center for Health Statistics. We analyzed responses from 18,144 working adults across the U.S., teasing out how job flexibility and security may be linked with mental health.

The Findings

The respondents were asked how easily they could change their work schedule to do things important to them or their family, whether their work schedule changed on a regular basis, and how far in advance they usually knew their schedules. They also rated their perceived risk of losing their job in the next 12 months.

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We found that workers who had more flexible work arrangements were less likely to report feelings of depression, hopelessness, and anxiety. Similarly, those with greater job security were at lower risk of mental health challenges. We also found that higher job security was linked with fewer instances of missing work over the past year.

The Consequences

The average full-time worker dedicates a third of their lifetime waking hours to work. Given that fact, understanding how job design affects mental health is key to developing policies that bolster well-being.

When workers aren’t feeling well mentally, they’re less productive and more likely to miss work. Their creativity, collaboration, and ability to meet job demands also suffer, hurting the entire organization. The impact of job-related stress extends beyond the workplace, affecting families, communities, and health care systems.

The Need for Change

My research team plans to examine how race and gender affect the links between job flexibility, job security, and mental health. Previous research suggests that women and people of color experience unique workplace stressors that harm their mental well-being.

Understanding gender and racial differences will help researchers and organizations develop targeted interventions and policy recommendations. Mental health challenges are far from rare: More than 50 million Americans, or nearly one in five adults, live with mental illness. By creating workplaces that prioritize employee well-being – through flexible work arrangements, supportive policies, and access to mental health resources – organizations can help build a healthier society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, job flexibility and security are crucial determinants of mental health. Employers have a critical role to play in creating supportive work environments that prioritize employee well-being. By prioritizing job flexibility, security, and autonomy, organizations can help reduce the risk of mental health challenges and promote a healthier, more productive workforce.

FAQs

Q: What is the link between job flexibility and mental health?
A: We found that workers who had more flexible work arrangements were less likely to report feelings of depression, hopelessness, and anxiety.

Q: What is the link between job security and mental health?
A: We found that workers with greater job security were at lower risk of mental health challenges.

Q: How common are mental health challenges in the workplace?
A: More than 50 million Americans, or nearly one in five adults, live with mental illness.

Q: What can organizations do to prioritize employee well-being?
A: Organizations can prioritize job flexibility, security, and autonomy through flexible work arrangements, supportive policies, and access to mental health resources.