Concurrent Session 7A: Special session 2: Work, Mental Health and Well-being

Moderator: Michael Flynn, MA

Speakers: Bernard Fontaine Jr., MSc, CIH, CSP, FAIHA; Aro Choi, MS; Terry Bunn, PhD

Description: The world of work is undergoing major changes: in the nature of work and employment arrangements, in workforce demographics, and in the types of workplaces, all of which can affect both worker well-being and business productivity. Embracing this paradigm shift requires a more expansive, systems-thinking approach to better integrate traditional OSH and non-OSH factors, both horizontally and vertically (from a short-term perspective to a work life continuum perspective).  This special concurrent session presents current research examining the relationship between the future of work and its impact on worker mental health and well-being.

Learning objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: (1) describe at least one example of innovative research examining the relationship between work (or employment) and worker mental health and overall well-being; (2) discuss the relationship between upcoming changes in the nature of work (and/or employment) and its impact on worker mental health (or worker well-being), that is amenable to the development of a workplace policy or intervention.