Paid Sick Leave Reduces Stress, Boosts Job Satisfaction for In-Home Service Workers Amid Pandemic, South Korean Study Finds
A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has shed light on the critical role of paid sick leave (PSL) for in-home service workers in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigating 1,643 workers, the research utilized path analysis to reveal a significant association: workers lacking paid leave or with only unpaid leave reported higher perceived risk, which directly linked to increased job stress and, indirectly, reduced job satisfaction.
"Workers with unpaid leave or no leave reported higher perceived risk, which was linked to increased job stress and, indirectly, reduced job satisfaction."
The findings underscore that PSL functions as a vital job resource, potentially aiding worker retention by fostering a sense of employer support and security.
Unexamined Challenges for Frontline Workers
Prior to this study, the unique challenges faced by in-home service workers during the pandemic had not been systematically examined with empirical data. These workers often navigate increased uncertainty regarding exposure and protection in less regulated home environments.
Adding to this context, South Korea stands as one of the few Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries without a nationwide statutory sick leave policy covering the entire workforce. Legally mandated paid leave is frequently restricted to specific groups, such as public employees, or applies only in cases of work-related injuries.
Applying the JD-R Model
To address this gap, the study applied the Job Demands, Resources (JD-R) model. This model posits that job demands, such as infection risk, contribute to stress, while job resources, like PSL, can buffer these negative effects and support overall well-being.
Data for the research was collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted in May 2020. The survey included workers from nine in-home service occupations, among them home appliance technicians, gas inspectors, home health nurses, and childcare providers.
Participants were categorized based on their reported access to sick leave for COVID-19 symptoms: those with paid leave, unpaid leave, no access to leave, or who were unsure of their leave status. Key psychological outcomes assessed included perceived risk (composite score), job stress (single-item self-report), and job satisfaction (single-item overall rating).
Stark Disparities in Leave Access and Well-being
The study's results highlighted a concerning landscape:
- Only 25% of the surveyed workers reported access to paid sick leave.
- Nearly half (46%) had access only to unpaid leave.
- 12% had no access to any leave.
- 16% were unsure of their leave status.
Workers with unpaid leave and no leave access reported significantly higher perceived risk compared to those with PSL. This higher perceived risk was strongly associated with increased job stress, which in turn was linked to lower job satisfaction.
Furthermore, workers with no leave access and those unsure of their leave policy experienced a direct reduction in job satisfaction relative to workers with PSL. The uncertainty surrounding leave status was also associated with reduced job satisfaction, emphasizing the critical importance of clear communication regarding employment protections. The JD-R model successfully explained 36.1% of the variance in job satisfaction.
Policy Implications for Worker Well-being
The findings suggest that PSL can reduce psychosocial strain by providing workers with a sense of security. This security may encourage symptomatic individuals to stay home, potentially reducing viral transmission. By removing the difficult trade-off between health and income, PSL may also alleviate stress during public health crises.
"PSL may reduce psychosocial strain by providing workers with security, potentially encouraging them to stay home when symptomatic, and potentially reducing viral transmission."
While the study acknowledged limitations, including its cross-sectional design and a focus primarily on unionized workers, it strongly underscores the potential need for policy reforms. Such reforms would aim to expand PSL coverage to a broader spectrum of the workforce, including gig workers, dependent self-employed individuals, and employees in small businesses, thereby protecting frontline worker well-being during future health emergencies.