Protecting the Frontline: How Paid Sick Leave Access Influences Perceived Risk, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Policy
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Access to paid sick leave (PSL) is a critical factor influencing worker well-being and job security, particularly in service industries.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in leave policies and their impact on essential workers' health and job satisfaction.
• Understanding the relationship between PSL and worker outcomes is crucial for developing supportive employment policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between access to paid sick leave (PSL) for COVID-19 symptoms and perceived risk, job stress, and job satisfaction.
• To compare the experiences of in-home service workers with different types of sick leave access: paid, unpaid, no access, or unsure.
• To identify how sick leave policies may indirectly influence job satisfaction through job stress.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,643 in-home service workers, achieving an 83% response rate.
• Path analysis was employed to examine the direct and indirect effects of sick leave type on perceived risk, job stress, and job satisfaction.
• Demographic factors and occupation were included as control variables in the statistical models.

Main Results:

• Workers with unpaid leave or no access to paid sick leave reported higher perceived risk of COVID-19 symptoms compared to those with PSL.
• Higher perceived risk was indirectly associated with lower job satisfaction, mediated by increased job stress.
• Direct associations were found between having no access or unsure access to paid sick leave and lower job satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Access to paid sick leave (PSL) appears to be a significant factor in supporting the mental health and job satisfaction of in-home service workers.
• Policies ensuring PSL access may mitigate job stress and reduce perceived health risks, thereby enhancing overall job satisfaction.
• Further research into the impact of sick leave policies on vulnerable service worker populations is warranted.