Researchers from the University of Alberta have found that employees who genuinely love their jobs exhibit better physical health indicators, as well as lower levels of anxiety and depression. The study’s findings were published in the journal Human Resource Management (HRM).
The scientists tracked the physical and mental health of more than 1,800 participants across eight studies. Participants completed questionnaires covering three workplace dimensions: passion for their job tasks, genuine closeness with colleagues, and true commitment to the organization.
“To classify a participant as someone who loves their job, all three factors must be present simultaneously. An employee who enjoys their work but does not feel connected to colleagues, or who gets along well with the team but feels emotionally detached from the organization, does not fully meet the criteria,” the researchers explained.
The team examined how often participants experienced sleep problems, headaches, digestive disorders, and overall susceptibility to illness. Individuals who scored highly on the “love of work” scale reported a lower frequency of these health issues. Participants in this group were also less likely to arrive late and took fewer extended breaks from work.
In addition, employees who loved their jobs reported lower levels of anxiety and depression, a pattern that remained consistent across multiple studies and over different time periods.
“Employees with a strong attachment to their work also did not show a greater tendency toward workaholism or unethical workplace behavior. Deep engagement with work does not appear to develop into compulsive behavior or lead to burnout,” the researchers concluded.
