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The best way to keep stress and psychological distress at bay in any workplace is for employers to offer work flexibility and security to their employees, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. When workers were able to modify their work schedule to prioritize important things in their lives and make room for their family, as well as receive advance notice of their work hours, it was associated with significantly lower odds of to experience stress and severe psychological distress.
“Job flexibility and security can be modified through a range of organizational approaches, such as expanding flexible work schedules, providing remote or hybrid work options, enhancing tenure-based benefits, and investing in training and upskilling programs to develop and talent retention”. the authors explained.
The study included over 18,144 adults working full-time jobs in the United States of America. Lead author Monica Wang from the Boston University School of Public Health and her team analyzed each person’s data from the 2021 National Institutes of Health Survey (NHIS). They focused on three outcomes: absenteeism from work, mental health, and whether study participants had access to mental health care.
Of the 18,144 study participants, 3% experienced severe psychological distress, 31.4% experienced anxiety symptoms a few times a year, and another 12% reported feeling anxious every day. Almost 61% received mental health counseling and only 11.4% reported not going to treatment in the past 12 months.
Wang and colleagues found that greater job flexibility and job security were associated with 26% and 25% lower odds of experiencing severe psychological distress and stress, respectively, on a daily, weekly, and annual basis.
“Work flexibility, such as the ability to adjust working hours or telecommute, can help workers better balance work-life commitments and priorities. This can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with managing competing demands, leading to improved mental well-being. Flexible work arrangements also allow employees to have more control over their schedules, making it easier to meet personal and family obligations. This balance can reduce burnout and psychological distress and promote better mental health,” they explained.
“Job security can lead to lower absenteeism due to higher job satisfaction, reduced work-related stress and financial security. Employees with higher job satisfaction are less likely to experience mental health problems and absenteeism. The association between work flexibility, security, and absenteeism may also vary according to individual needs, priorities, and workplace culture, as expectations regarding personal attendance and taking sick, medical, and personal time may vary. differ significantly between organizations,” the authors add. .
On the other hand, job insecurity and unemployment have been repeatedly linked to the onset of depressive symptoms. Instability in work schedules also increases the likelihood of psychological distress and absenteeism. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in late 2019, it has exacerbated job insecurity. According to the US Census Bureau’s Family Pulse Survey, there were 4.2 million fewer jobs in October 2021 than in February 2020. Low-wage jobs accounted for 59% of all jobs lost that year the period.
