Enhanced Flexibility in the Workplace Linked to Decreased Risk of Cardiovascular Issues
A new study led by Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and Penn State University suggests that increased workplace flexibility could lower employees' risk of cardiovascular disease. The research, published in The American Journal of Public Health, is among the first to assess whether changes to the work environment can impact cardiovascular health.
In workplaces that implemented interventions aimed at reducing work-life conflict, researchers observed a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk among employees with higher baseline cardiometabolic risk, particularly older employees. The reduction was equivalent to between five and ten years of age-related cardiometabolic changes.
Co-lead author Lisa Berkman, Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy and Epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, stated, "The study demonstrates that working conditions are crucial determinants of health. When stressful workplace conditions and work-family conflict were mitigated, we saw a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease among more vulnerable employees without any negative impact on their productivity."
As part of the Work, Family, and Health Network, the researchers designed an intervention to improve work-life balance. Supervisors were trained on strategies to support employees' personal and family lives while ensuring job performance, and teams attended hands-on trainings to identify new ways to give employees control over their schedules and tasks.
The intervention was randomly assigned to work units within two companies, an IT company and a long-term care company, with employees from both companies seeing a reduction in their cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) equivalent to 5.5 and 10.3 years of age-related changes, respectively. Older employees with higher baseline CRS were more likely to see a reduction than their younger counterparts.
Orfeu Buxton, co-lead author and professor at Penn State, noted, "The intervention was designed to change the workplace culture over time, reducing conflict between employees' work and personal lives and ultimately improving their health. Now we know such changes can improve employee health and should be more broadly implemented."
The study found that the workplace intervention did not have significant overall effects on employees' CRS. However, reductions in CRS were observed specifically among those with a higher baseline CRS. The findings suggest that flexible work arrangements may be particularly beneficial for low-wage workers and older employees who traditionally have less control over their schedules and job demands.
The study's overall findings suggest that workplace flexibility interventions, such as adaptable schedules, remote work options, or control over work tasks, can have positive effects on employees' cardiovascular disease risk. These benefits are significant, especially for older employees and low-wage workers, who may confront greater health inequities and have fewer resources to manage their health effectively.
In workplaces that implement flexibility interventions, employees may experience reduced stress, improved lifestyle and health behaviors, and enhanced support. Fostering a culture of appreciation and recognition in the workplace can help mitigate feelings of embitterment and stress associated with unreasonable tasks. Furthermore, flexible work arrangements and supportive return-to-work policies are essential for individuals recovering from cardiovascular incidents.
In conclusion, workplace flexibility interventions can contribute to reducing cardiovascular disease risk by lowering stress, supporting healthy behaviors, and facilitating return to work after illness. These benefits are especially vital for older employees and low-wage workers, who may otherwise lack the resources to manage their health effectively.
The study revealed that workplace flexibility interventions, such as adaptable schedules, remote work options, or control over work tasks, could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly among older employees and low-wage workers. Improved workplace-wellness programs that focus on medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, and cardiovascular-health would likely foster reduced stress, healthier lifestyles, and enhanced support for employees.
