Claim that poor-quality work is worse for health than being unemployed

The final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives highlights the fact that 8.2 million working-age people say that they have a long-term health condition that limits their ability to work and 1.7 million workers in Great Britain suffer from health conditions caused or made worse by their job.

“Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health,” the report claims, adding: “in some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.”

Poor workforce health is estimated to cost UK employers up to £150 billion a year through lost productivity, sickness absence and recruitment costs.

Action for Healthier Working Lives has been produced by a cross-sector group — including policy experts, employers and worker representatives — aiming to build a consensus for the action needed by Government and employers to meet the UK’s work and health challenges.

Setting out practical steps to shift policy and action towards earlier intervention, it calls for major changes in government policy and employment practices.

The report argues that poor-quality work, including stressful conditions, inflexible working arrangements and poor job design, can make health worse, especially in demanding sectors such as health and social care and transport and logistics.

The Commission for Healthier Working Lives concludes by stating that “many people could remain in work with better flexibility, job adjustments and timely support”.

Visit BrAInbox today where you can find answers to questions like Are tattoos a protected characteristic?

• UK exports hit with 10% US tariffs
• National minimum wage and other statutory rate increases
• Life-changing incident sparks urgent call for workplace safety reform
• Tragedy highlights critical gaps in safety standards across industries