Although Work Environment Improved... Job Prospects, Colleague Relationships, and Health Condition Worsened

Korea Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, 6th Working Environment Survey

Office workers near Cheonggyecheon, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Due to the impact of remote work and other factors following the spread of COVID-19, workers' labor intensity and exposure to risk factors generally decreased, but perceptions of job prospects worsened, and relationships with colleagues and supervisors deteriorated, according to a survey. Additionally, the number of workers reporting health problems such as back pain increased.

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency's Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute announced the results of the "6th Working Environment Survey" containing these findings on the 9th. The survey is conducted every three years targeting 50,000 employed persons aged 15 and older. This time, it was conducted from October 2020, when COVID-19 spread severely, until April of last year.

First, compared to the 5th Working Environment Survey in 2017, labor intensity decreased. The response rate for "working at a fast pace" dropped from 25% to 17%, and for "strict deadlines are required," it decreased from 25% to 18%. The percentage of employed persons who answered "I always or mostly have to hide my emotions while working" declined from 40% to 38%.

The response rate for working more than 52 hours per week significantly decreased from 21% in 2017 to 13% in 2020, and Saturday work also dropped from 51% to 43%. The research institute explained, "this appears to be due to some improvement in the long working hours culture following the phased implementation of the 52-hour workweek system starting in July 2018."

(Data provided by Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency Industrial Safety Research Institute)

However, positive evaluations of one's own job fell from 40% to 35%, and concerns about unemployment within six months rose from 10% to 12%. The proportion of respondents who said they receive help and support from colleagues decreased from 69% to 60%, and those who said they receive help and support from supervisors dropped from 64% to 58%. This is interpreted as a result of reduced communication due to the non-face-to-face and social distancing culture caused by COVID-19.

The number of employed persons who experienced verbal and physical violence and sexual harassment increased compared to three years ago. The proportion of those who experienced verbal violence rose from 4.8% to 5.4%. Those who experienced physical violence increased from 0.2% to 0.3%, and those who experienced sexual harassment rose from 0.2% to 0.4%.

Workers' health conditions generally worsened. The percentage of employed persons who responded that their subjective health status was "good" decreased from 73% to 69%, and negative responses increased overall for health-related items such as chronic diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, headaches and eye fatigue, anxiety, general fatigue, and sleep disorders.

In particular, the proportion of people reporting problems with skeletal health such as back, neck, and shoulders increased from 30% to 42%. The WHO-5 Well-being Index dropped from 59 points to 57 points, and generally, a score of 50 or below is interpreted as a high risk of depression.

Self-employed workers, who were more affected by COVID-19 than wage workers, and among wage workers, temporary and daily workers, viewed job prospects negatively and reported poorer subjective health status.

(Data provided by Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency Industrial Safety Research Institute)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.