Work circumstances, job loss, and wellbeing during New Zealand’s Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way work is conducted resulted in widespread unemployment – both of which may have consequences for workers’ wellbeing. Using unique data collected during New Zealand’s Alert Level 4 lockdown, this paper examines differences in affective wellbeing among surveyed workers (n = 1,238) who lost jobs due to the lockdown and those who remained employed. We found that those who lost jobs, compared to those who remained employed, experienced poorer wellbeing. Essential workers also experienced more stress and worry than other workers. The findings can inform policy aimed at buffering workers from the negative consequence of pandemic-related restrictions.