Employment in low-skilled jobs as trigger and consequence of poor health-a longitudinal perspective from Germany

Despite evidence of correlations between low-skilled jobs and poor health, the longitudinal perspective on this research topic has been neglected in Germany for decades. Therefore, we investigate (i) the causal relationship between accumulated employment in low- or medium-skilled jobs on self-rated health and (ii) the selective association of self-rated health on transitions from medium- to low-skilled jobs. About 26 313 dependent employees and persons aged 25-50 from 2010 to 2020 in the German Socio-Economic Panel were included. Linear fixed-effects models were used to analyse the impact of accumulated employment in low- or medium-skilled jobs on self-rated health. Linear probability models with fixed effects were calculated to identify the effect of self-rated health on transitions between low- and medium-skilled jobs. Accumulated employment in low-skilled jobs impacts self-rated health significantly. There is no confirmation for accumulated employment in medium-skilled jobs concerning health. Poor self-rated health increases the probability of transitioning from medium- to low-skilled jobs but does not impact the reverse transition. Poor self-rated health can push employees into low-skilled jobs. Against the background of extended working lives and preserving the labour force potential, there is a need for action and research concerning employees in low-skilled jobs.