8096805 Changes in employment since the COVID-19 pandemic and poor health outcomes among older workers

<h3>Objective</h3> The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread employment disruption, however studies on older workers are scarce. Undesired work changes at older ages may compromise long-term employment and health trajectories. To explore the impact of employment changes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported health of older workers. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> Data were drawn from the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study, a cohort of middle-aged individuals in England incepted in 2013-14. In February 2021 they reported on employment changes since March 2020 and perceived changes in mental and general health. Associations were analysed with Poisson regression, with robust standard errors, adjusting for age, sex, pre-pandemic self-rated health (SRH), pre-pandemic comorbidities, pre-pandemic financial position, and job type. <h3>Results</h3> 2,469 participants responded to the online survey (53% response rate). After exclusion of participants already retired before the pandemic, 1,104 (48% men, mean age 63 years) were included. Only 33% retained the same employment, while 34% transitioned to home working, 15% were furloughed, 6% retired and 12% experienced another change. Compared with participants with unchanged employment, those who switched to home working (RR 1.59, 95%CI 1.09, 2.32) and those who retired (RR 2.07, 95%CI 1.14, 3.78) were more likely to perceive a SRH worsening. Recent retirees were also more likely to perceive a mental health worsening (RR 1.71, 95%CI 0.99, 2.97). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Certain employment changes were associated with worsening of general and mental health. Some of the negative consequences of working from home during the peak of the pandemic may be explained by the shift to home working being sudden and forced. Health of the population should be monitored in the long term and support provided if needed.