- Press Contact:
Nina Flowers
020 7902 9004
nina.flowers@interhealth.org.uk
Health in the Workplace: Four Key Impacts on Employee Health
20 January 2011
What are four key areas HR professionals should consider when thinking about staff health?
1. Job Insecurity.
A number of researchers have found that the current trend for the restructuring of organisations has led to an increase in perceived job insecurity.
Research indicates that the perception of job security has an important correlation with employee health and well-being. For example with the increase of perceived job insecurity both distress and the use of medications increases substantially among workers.
2. Working Hours.
The last decade has seen many employees working more than eight hours a day and having to work overtime due to tight deadlines, understaffing or emergency contingencies. Recent studies have found that workers on extended work shift schedules suffered from excessive fatigue, sleepiness and significant loss of sleep. Employees who work long hours have been found to be more prone to poor lifestyle habits, such as heavy smoking, inadequate diet and lack of exercise.
3. Managerial Style
In the present economic climate, competition between industries is increasing, making the management of organisations even more challenging. This has resulted in managers being particularly prone to high levels of occupational stress. Increased managerial pressure can also impact on employee well being and unintentionally cause stress for their subordinates.
4. Work Relationships
Work-related stress can sometimes be the result of being harassed or bullied at work. Findings from a Charted Institute of Personnel and Development survey show that those who experience bullying or harassment are more likely to be depressed and anxious, less satisfied with their work, to have a low opinion of their managers and senior managers and to want to leave their organisation. It can take many forms such as exclusion, gossip or being constantly undervalued. HR professionals: keep your eyes open for our Bully & Harrassment workshop later in the year.
Further information on workshops and seminars designed to help support managers and HR professionals can be found on the link below:
