However, those formerly unemployed adults who moved into poor quality jobs had elevated risks for a range of health problems, compared to adults who remained unemployed.

HRDive reports that a Hewitt study released in April found that 54 percent of workers reported feeling highly stressed, an increase over 2016’s study results. “The high level of stress among workers is catastrophic,” the HRDive report says. “Unemployment is stressful enough, but when being in a low-quality, low-paid job is worse, employers should sit up and take notice.”

Considering the difficulties employers already have with retention and recruitment of good employees, perhaps it’s not all that surprising that a Gallup study cited by HRDive indicates that 67 percent of employees are disengaged at work, 78 percent are unclear about their career direction and 79 percent say management isn’t motivating them. In fact, Florida TV station WFTS reports that stress at work is causing many people to change career paths.

The Manchester study concludes, “Job quality cannot be disregarded from the employment success of the unemployed, and may have important implications for their health and well-being.”