Workplace Dissatisfaction and Mental or Emotional Health: A Predictor of Turnover Intentions Among Governmental Public Health Employees

BACKGROUND: Mental or emotional health (MEH) among public health employees is crucial for their well-being, organizational performance, workforce retention, and effective delivery of public health activities. This study examines the relationship between domains of workplace environment and self-rated MEH among governmental public health employees, drawing on data from the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey. METHODS: Perceptions of workplace environment domains were examined using exploratory factor analysis. The dependent variable, self-rated MEH, was assessed on a 5-point scale from poor to excellent. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of workplace environment domains-organizational support & satisfaction, supervisor relationships, and work values & commitment-on the likelihood of predicting fair or poor (suboptimal) MEH. RESULTS: More than 20% of public health employees rated their MEH as suboptimal. Employees who reported an intention to leave their positions in the next year were significantly more likely to report suboptimal MEH (OR: 2.17, P < .001). Individuals who were satisfied with organizational factors, such as training needs being met, and perceived impact through their work were significantly less likely to report suboptimal MEH. Employees in supervisory roles, especially managers (OR: 1.28) and executives (OR: 1.37), were significantly more likely to report suboptimal MEH. CONCLUSION: Workplace dissatisfaction was significantly associated with suboptimal MEH and increased the probability of employees leaving public health roles. These findings underscore the need for strategies that strengthen organizational factors and workplace values, thereby promoting workforce stability within governmental public health agencies.