The Value of Work-Related Uncertainty: Changes from Demands on Certainty to Finding Ways of Living in Uncertainty

Given the negative consequences that excessive confrontation with uncertainty can have, its positive dimension is often forgotten. The aim of this article is to show that the uncertainty associated with work, working conditions and the context in which working relationships are formed can be considered as a positive value. This will be shown through four themes. The first theme concerns the economic system. It is important to show that a certain degree of insecurity is necessary not only for individual freedom in society, but also for society as a whole, as there is a relationship between economic and political freedom. The second theme concerns entrepreneurship. In this respect, the article reminds us that uncertainty is a prerequisite for entrepreneurial activity. The third area deals with employment. Uncertainty and the life experience associated with it is an opportunity for personal development and the search for innovative ways of coping and solving problems, moreover, it is related to a sense of freedom. The fourth theme deals with the positive role of uncertainty in the context of the current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this positive value will only emerge if human health is protected.

A STUDY ON WORK-RELATED FACTORS CAUSING DISRUPTIVE FAMILY CONCERNS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH REFERENCE TO DUAL INCOME FAMILIES OF HYDERABAD CITY

We all are having commonly certain level of stress and challenges during our normal life. In the face of the Covid-19, we are being stressed in a number of ways because of financial, isolation, lockdown, employment uncertainty and job related pressures. The Nationwide lockdown because of coronavirus has led to people working from home and thus, spending more time with their families and partners. But India is seeing a rise in cases of domestic abuse and more people in China are filing for divorce. Families are complicated and therefore, there is no simple answer to whether the coronavirus lockdown is actually leading to strengthening of relationships or not. For some people, families are the primary triggers of their mental health issues while some others are part of deeply abusive families. In this context, the study focuses on the analysis of the work related factors and its association with demographics like gender, age, job position, experience and family size in relation with disruptive family concerns and also the impact of work related factors on family concerns during covid-19 in relation with the dual income families in Hyderabad city.It is descriptive study in nature. The opinions of 150 jobholders are collected from the Hyderabad City. Non-probabilistic nature of convenient sample technique is applied for collection of data. A well-structured questionnaire is admired. Data analysis techniques that are descriptive statistics, reliability tests, regression analysis and ANOVA were applied. It is revealed that the work related factors namely job security, work timings, payment of salary, workload, communication, team work, leadership, recognition are greatly disrupting the family concerns and also the demographic factors have shown significant association with the work related factors and disruptive family concerns

COVID-19 Related Information and Psychological Wellbeing: Mediating Role of Employment Uncertainty Among Pakistani People

In December 2019, the confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient was initially reported in Wuhan which later spread quickly in other cities of China resulting in severe acute respiratory disorder. This virus is not confined only to China but has affected billions of people living globally. Media has served as an important platform in educating the masses about precautionary measures to be taken by the general public to protect themselves from becoming patients of this fatal virus. Currently, the majority population of the world is getting information through different media platforms. This paper observes the impact of COVID-19 related media coverage role in developing mental problems among the Pakistani people as well as the mediating role of employment uncertainty due to COVID-19 related information. An online questionnaire was circulated to collect data. This study includes 405 respondents using random sampling techniques resided in Lahore. The results explained that most of the people got COVID-19 related information from different media platforms that have developed depression and fear among people. Moreover, this study suggests that government as well as media practitioners should take initiatives to prevent mental health problems, particularly employment certainty developed due to watching COVID-19 related information.

Employment Uncertainty and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Initial Social Distancing Implementation: a Cross-national Study

Background Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in the work environment and employment uncertainty. This paper reports on a cross-national comparison of four countries (Norway, UK, USA and Australia) and examines the differences in mental health between those individuals employed and those not employed during the social distancing implementation. Methods Participants (N = 3,810) were recruited through social media in April/May 2020 and were invited to complete a self-administered electronic survey over a 3-week period. Differences between those employed and those not employed with regard to their sociodemographic characteristics and mental health were investigated with chi-square tests, independent t tests, and one-way analysis of variances (ANOVAs). Results Compared with their counterparts, participants who were employed reported lower levels of mental health distress (p < 0.001), higher levels of psychosocial well-being (p < 0.001), better overall quality of life (p < 0.001), and lower levels of overall loneliness, social loneliness, and emotional loneliness (p < 0.001). Small to medium but consistent differences (Cohen’s d = 0.23–0.67) in mental health favor those with employment or those who were retired. Conclusion Further study is needed to assess mental health over time as the COVID-19 pandemic and employment uncertainty continues.

The Cyclicality of On-the-Job Search Effort

This paper provides new evidence for cyclicality in the job-search effort of employed workers, on-the-job search (OJS) intensity, in the U.S. using American Time Use Survey and various cyclical indicators. We find that the probability of an employed worker to engage in OJS is statistically significantly countercyclical, while time spent on OJS of an employed job seeker is weakly countercyclical. The fear of job loss, employment uncertainty, and workers’ financial situations is crucial in the job search decision of employed individuals. The results imply that the precautionary motive might be the key driver of the countercyclicality in OJS intensity.