The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment and its effect on work-life psychology: Balıkesir case study

The COVID-19 pandemic, which started in December 2019, has caused economic and social problems. In this context, problems related to employment, which increased with the pandemic, affected our country. The employment rates for 2020 show that there was a decrease compared to the previous year as well as a downward trend in the unemployment. It is thought that this occurred because of health regulations (lockdown, full lockdown, etc.) and a limited definition of unemployment by TUIK. The main aims of this study are to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Balıkesir province, show the effect of this on employment, the unemployment it created and the related concern of unemployment for working people, as well as provide suggestions for a healthy work-life and psychology. The questionnaire created in this context was applied to individuals who were working, unemployed or looking for a job. The results were analyzed by a statistic program using parametric tests, such as t-test, one-way variance test (Anova) Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. According to the results, it was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic increased unemployment in the broad sense of term used by TUIK, whereas according to their earlier statement, in the limited sense, unemployment hadn't increased. Additionally, our study found that working people and those looking for work had increased anxiety and that work-life was affected negatively. Despite these, the results show that is possible to go back to a healthy work-life and psychology after the pandemic, yet this is going to take some time. This context, with this study, we aim to provide insight and suggestions for future research on this subject and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Words: COVID-19, Employment, Unemployment, Unemployment Concern, Work-Life