Short- and long-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on perceptions of job insecurity in Switzerland: the role of short-time work and work-from-home

Abstract

This study investigates the short- and long-term impact of Switzerland’s initial Covid-19 economic shutdown on perceptions of job insecurity. According to Swiss Household Panel (SHP) data, perceived job insecurity was seen to rise from 2019 to 2020 and then decline in subsequent years. Employees on short-time work perceived the most significant initial rise, but reported the most substantial decrease in perceived job insecurity in 2021 and 2022. Full work-from-home had a protective effect on perceived job insecurity in the private sector; unexpectedly, partial work-from-home led to increased feelings of insecurity.