Job flexibility and job security important to mental health

Federal data indicate that almost 60% of the 4.2 million jobs lost between February 2020 and October 2021 were low-wage. Low-wage jobs often have less flexibility and less security, which can contribute to depression and poor mental health.

Having less workplace flexibility and security also makes it difficult for workers to schedule and access all kinds of health care. For many people with low-wage jobs, getting sick and missing work means lost wages and financial hardship or losing your job altogether. People who go to work sick make their coworkers sick, which leads to staffing shortages and lower productivity for employers.

“Organizational policies that enhance job flexibility and security may facilitate a healthier work environment, mitigate work-related stress, and ultimately promote better mental health.” JAMA Network Open, March 2024

The Arkansas CEAL Regional Team and other researchers looked at existing data from more than 18,000 working adults in the U.S. They found that greater job flexibility and job security were associated with less psychological distress, less anxiety, fewer missed workdays, and less frequent use of mental health services.

The authors of this study suggest that organizations can improve workers’ physical and mental health by offering more flexible work schedules and more job security.

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Job flexibility, job security, and mental health among US working adults