Job security and the promotion of workers’ wellbeing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: A study with Canadian workers one to two weeks after the initiation of social distancing measures

Abstract

Background: Due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, workplaces have had to make significant alterations in the way they conduct business. This, in addition to the current financial instability, may put workers at risk of experiencing job insecurity and, in turn, lower wellbeing. Job insecurity is a key determinant of wellbeing, but little is known on how it is impacted by public health crises, and more specifically how it relates to workers' positive and negative wellbeing in the midst of a pandemic. Research is lacking on resilience levers that workplace interventions should target to support wellbeing in times of insecurity. Objective: Framed from a multidisciplinary perspective (public health, positive and organizational psychology), the study explores (1) workers' job (in)security during the COVID-19 pandemic one to two weeks after social distancing measures were implemented by Canadian governments, (2) how job (in)security relates to wellbeing during the pandemic, and (3) the potential positive effects of workplace-related resilience levers. Method: 1,073 Canadian workers working full-/part-time or who were temporarily laid off completed an online survey, including measures of wellbeing at work or in general, job security and potential resilience levers (workplace disaster preparedness, policy, social capital). Results: Multiple regression findings highlight that marginalized workers (e.g., women, migrants, people facing financial hardships) reported lower job security, and having temporarily lost one's job was negatively associated with job security. Low job security was related to lower scores across measures of wellbeing. Distress was high in the sample. Workplace disaster preparedness, policy and social capital were associated with higher wellbeing. The effects of these resilience levers tended to be stronger at higher job security levels. Discussion: Recommendations include a systemic, collaborative approach that includes policies fostering job security as well as resilience-promoting interventions in the workplace to protect/increase the wellbeing of workers during COVID-19.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Fear of COVID-19 Moderating Role in Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Work-Related Distress in the Republic of Serbia

“…Moreover, job security was also associated with a reduced level of distress. Similar results were reported only 2 weeks after the measures were introduced (Pacheco et al, 2020).…”

An Umbrella Review of the Work and Health Impacts of Working in an Epidemic/Pandemic Environment

“…Given the unique health and economic context of the pandemic, including potential labour shortages coupled with the need to ensure adequate protection for workers [ 56 , 57 , 58 ], future research should examine outcomes beyond initial infection risk, as well as the key barriers, enablers and mitigation strategies that drive differences in these outcomes [ 59 ]. Future research should also examine these factors in relation to other occupation and industry groups that are underrepresented in the literature.…”

“…Some evidence suggests that workplace interventions need to be targeted towards modifiable risk factors at the individual and organizational level [ 59 , 64 ]. For example, recent studies have found that job security [ 56 ] and perceived adequacy of PPE and workplace-based infection control procedures [ 57 ] may be important variables that influence the risk of worse mental health symptoms. Future research should continue to explore how these factors and others identified in the included reviews can be targeted to address mental health and well-being concerns as workplaces re-open or continue to re-open [ 59 ], as well as evaluation studies that examine their effectiveness over time.…”

Life in a pandemic: intersectional approach exploring experiences of LGBTQ during COVID-19

“…Almost every participant expressed that they either lost their jobs or feared losing one (Moen et al, 2020;Pacheco et al, 2020). Economic activities and business worldwide came to a halt during the lockdown.…”