A recent Harvard study reveals that implementing flexible work policies can significantly improve employees' heart health, especially for those over the age of 45 or individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular issues. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, suggests that workplace interventions aimed at reducing work-family conflict help lower the risk of heart disease without compromising productivity. Key Findings on Cardiovascular Health The research, led by Dr.
Lisa Berkman from Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dr.
Orfeu Buxton from Penn State University, focused on two key groups: employees over 45 and those already at a heightened risk of cardiovascular problems. By giving workers more control over their schedules and encouraging managers to support their personal and family lives, the study found that those at higher risk experienced significant improvements in heart health. “When stressful workplace conditions and work-family conflict were mitigated, we saw a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease among more vulnerable employees,” Berkman said.
Importantly, this shift did not result in any loss of productivity, highlighting the potential for flexible work arrangements to benefit both employees and employers. The study was conducted with over 1,500 employees from an IT company and a care company. Workers in the IT firm, who typically earned moderate salaries, and the mostly low-wage caregivers from the care company un.