Just because your workday ends and it’s time to head home doesn’t mean your mind isn’t also off the job. And that can have an impact on your family and your health.
Researchers at the University of California at Irvine say the spillover between work life and family life can affect an individual’s mental and physical health. Negative work experiences can create an irritable family member at home and an irritable family member can make a difficult employee. Workplace initiatives to minimize such scenarios can help improve work and family for employees and at the same time, help maintain good health.
Researchers analyzed data on 1,547 adults ages 35 to 65 to assess how work stress affected family life. Negative work experiences that leak into family life can increase a person’s susceptibility to illness. Work-related stress can cause hormone and immune system changes that can lead to getting sick. Those who had less negative spillover from work to family had better overall health, meaning fewer sick days from work. Also, researchers say, a healthier employee is more likely to be a more productive employee.
Researchers conclude employers can make an investment in their employees by promoting good health in the workplace that will not only benefit the employee’s ability to work, but will also have a positive effect on family life too.
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