IES: UK workers’ health is affected by poor job quality

The quality of the job has a significant impact on workers’ health. In the UK, 1.7 million people reported work-related conditions over the last year.

The Institute for Employment Studies reports that half of UK workers have to work more than their contracted hours or expectations, which is the highest rate in Europe.

In its report Exploring interactions between job quality and industries and health it also found that increasing work intensity and job stress mean that half of UK workers feel exhausted.

The poorest health was reported by employees in the following industries: transport and storage; construction; commerce and hospitality. Around a quarter (25%) of the workforce is made up by these employees. The poor quality of the job was more prevalent in groups that were already at a disadvantage, such as those with chronic illnesses, women, older workers, and younger people.

Four aspects of a person’s job have the strongest link to negative health outcomes: Job security or precarity, excessive and/or irregular working hours, demands and control in the workplace and relationships and support.

The report produced for the Commission for Healthier Working Lives examines how UK working conditions compare to other nations in Europe.

Three-fifths (35%) of UK workers report working to tight deadlines, and 25% work at a high pace. Both are among the highest rates recorded in Europe. Just one third of UK workers claim to have any control over their work, the lowest rate across Europe.

According to IES, although work is generally beneficial to the health of most people, a significant minority face risks related to their working conditions.

One in eight employees has a job that is not secure; one out of six workers regularly works long hours; nine percent work nights; and six percent work irregular hours. One in six employees is regularly subjected to bullying or harassment at work.

The Employment Rights Bill, which is expected to be introduced by the government in the near future, has promised to improve quality of work across several areas. These include the right to an predictable contract and a prohibition on certain unsecure contracts.

The IES warns that burnout is a serious problem for certain occupations such as nursing and teaching. More than half of these workers are affected by it.

The report states that “while many employers are actively working to improve their workplace conditions and quality of work, we hope this research will help focus efforts in support of good practices and good work.”

Jonny Gifford said, “There are many studies that show work can support or harm people’s well-being. The quality of the job makes a big difference.

The majority of UK workers do not have jobs that are harmful to their mental and physical health. However, some risk factors are more prevalent or more prominent in the UK than among our European counterparts. Prioritise long working hours, high work intensity and lack of control.

Sacha Romanovitch is the chairperson of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives. She added, “Good work benefits people, businesses and society.” The Employment Rights Bill shows the government’s desire to improve workplace standards.

“While many employers already take steps to support their employees’ health, there is still room for employers to work with industry bodies across sectors in order to make effective support a norm. To achieve this, sharing proven approaches and practical solution will be crucial.

Romanovitch, one of the UK’s largest employers, urged the government to “test and prove what works on a large scale… especially in areas such as education and health”.

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