Effects of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) on lifestyle health-related behaviours and mental health symptoms in UK-based truck drivers

OBJECTIVE: To compare lifestyle health-related behaviours and mental health symptoms between COVID-19 furloughed and non-furloughed UK-based truck drivers. METHODS: 91 SHIFT-UK trial participants completed an online COVID-19-specific survey (May-July 2020); 44 (48%) were furloughed. Survey data were linked with pre-pandemic baseline and 6-month follow-up measures to examine longitudinal changes. RESULTS: Furloughed drivers reported longer sleep, more frequent nature visits, longer standing time, and greater engagement in new physical activity. Longitudinally, furloughed drivers showed reduced anxiety during lockdown and increased nature visits. However, by 6-month follow-up, once work resumed, anxiety returned to baseline, engagement in new physical activity declined, and chronic fatigue increased. CONCLUSIONS: Furlough was associated with short-term positive health-related behaviours, but these gains were not sustained after drivers returned to work. Lasting health improvements are likely to require structural workplace changes and targeted interventions.