Impact of Precarious Employment on the Health and Well-being of Workers and their Families in Ontario, Canada During the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Research has associated precarious employment (PE) with workers' poor mental health and well-being; however, this association has been studied primarily using quantitative methods. This presentation highlights the mechanisms between PE and mental health, qualitatively, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 individuals aged 25-55 (55% identifying as women) in Ontario, Canada who were engaged in PE during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic or whose employment was terminated due to the pandemic. Interviews focused on the ways in which PE influenced insecurities of workers and their families and were analyzed thematically. Results: The findings showed that PE amplified mental health symptoms and illnesses for workers and their families. These experiences were described as chronic, where impacts were (more amplified?) on precariously employed workers through systemic discrimination and racism, colonialism, workplace hierarchies, and gendered ideologies. PE negatively impacted mental health through emotional stress about employment and income instability, insecurity, and loss; added pressure for households where both partners are engaged in PE; as well as impacted their ability to maintain or improve overall health and well-being; and social connectedness. Conclusions: This presentation characterizes multiple dimensions of PE and the consequences they each have on the mental health of workers and their families. This presentation will offer unique insight into elements of non-standard employment which need to be addressed to support workers and their families.