"Objective
Disruption to working lives spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic may shape people's preferences for future employment. We aimed to identify the components of work prioritized by a UK sample and the employment changes they had considered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A nationally representative longitudinal household survey was conducted in Wales at two time points between 2020 and 2021.
Results
Those in poorer health prioritized flexibility and were more likely to consider retiring. Those with limiting preexisting conditions or low mental well-being were more likely to consider becoming self-employed. Those experiencing financial insecurity (including those with high wage precarity or those furloughed) were more likely to consider retraining, becoming self-employed, or securing permanent employment.
Conclusions
Ensuring flexible, secure, and autonomous work is accessible for individuals facing greater employment-related insecurity may be key.
As a wider determinant of health, employment can both positively and negatively affect our health and quality of life.1–3 Good work, which is stable, meaningful, and fairly compensated, is known to be good for health.4 Enabling individuals to have access to what constitutes good work for them, and their circumstances is vital to ensure equitable access to healthy working lives for all."

Support: Digital