Effectiveness of a Participatory Voice Intervention on Psychological Well-Being Among Warehouse Workers: Results From the Fulfillment Center Intervention Study, United States, 2021‒2023

Abstract

Objectives. To examine whether a novel workplace intervention designed to increase worker voice can reduce psychological distress and improve emotional vitality at 6- and 12-months follow-up. Methods. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in 16 fulfillment centers throughout the United States between 2021-2023. Data were collected at three time points; 2813 workers participated in at least one survey. Treated fulfillment centers established a new, participatory committee called the Health and Well-Being Committee (HaWC). We compared differences in psychological distress and emotional vitality and explored differential treatment effects by gender. Results. At baseline, moderate or severe psychological distress was 51%. Intervention sites had lower average psychological distress at the 6-month follow-up compared to control sites, with no significant differences at 12-month follow-up. Gender moderation analyses suggest the HaWC was particularly effective in reducing psychological distress among men at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that opportunities for workers to share concerns to a committee of their peers tasked with identifying solutions can support mental health. Our study contributes important experimental evidence on workplace interventions that improve the well-being of low-wage U.S. populations.