Poor Working Conditions Take a Toll on Mental Health, Report Finds

Lack of paid sick leave, inflexible or late-night schedules, and inconsistent pay can have a significant effect on mental health, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of serious psychological distress were significantly higher among workers who did not have paid sick leave than among those who did. Late-night shifts and less-flexible schedules also had a significant effect on workers’ mental health. The pandemic has accelerated conversations about the importance of mental health protections in the workplace.