Precarious work among personal support workers in the Greater Toronto Area: a respondent-driven sampling study

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Occupational Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical role and challenging work conditions of personal support workers (PSWs).
• Understanding PSW workforce characteristics, job security, and health impacts of precarious employment is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the personal support worker (PSW) workforce in the Greater Toronto Area.
• To examine the work conditions, job security, and health status of PSWs.
• To investigate the association between precarious employment and PSW health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Community-based participatory action research approach.
• Online, cross-sectional survey administered to PSWs using respondent-driven sampling (n=658).
• Multivariable logistic regression used to assess the link between precarious employment and health.

Main Results:

• The study population was predominantly Black, female, and foreign-born PSWs, many working in home or long-term care.
• Most PSWs experienced precarious employment, lacked paid sick days and benefits, and reported low income.
• Precarious employment was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression.

Conclusions:

• Despite their vital role, PSWs often face precarious employment, low wages, and poor working conditions detrimental to their physical and mental health.
• Urgent need for equitable strategies to ensure decent work conditions and improve the health of PSWs.