Work Arrangements, Work-related Stress, and Worker Mental Health of Public Sector Employees in the Time of COVID-19

Abstract

With the advent of flexible work environments and the COVID-19 pandemic, this study looked into the stress and mental health of civil service workers by considering the impact of shifts in work arrangement as well as the overall effect of the health crisis. Through both quantitative and qualitative methods, results showed that work-related stress and worker mental health did not significantly vary in terms of work arrangement. Analysis of responses from the Focus Group Discussion, however, suggested differences in the kind of stress experienced by each group. Meanwhile, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was consistently significant across all demographic categories such as sex, age group, marital status, job role, designation, and length of service, and on both work arrangement types. Hence, support mechanisms, especially at this time, should be a priority. This paper recommends policy and program reforms at the national and organizational level, which include developing financial and health assistance programs and implementing compassionate work-related policies.