Health Impacts of Employment a review March 2005 Cathal Doyle, Paul Kavanagh, Owen Metcalfe & Teresa Lavin

Health Impacts of Employment Stressful working conditions, bullying, harassment and low pay are detrimental to health. Limited career advancement, discrimination, job insecurity and hazards in the workplace also take a toll on the mental health of employees. The disruption of work/life balance through long or irregular working hours and stressful commuting is unhealthy. Despite these problems being employed is better for health than being unemployed. The material wellbeing and sense of purpose that a job provides are beneficial to health.

Health Impacts of Employment – facts and figures (2003) NI: 5.2% unemployed) a total of ROI: 4.7% unemployed) 126,000 people Unemployed people with no previous illness are 37% more likely to die during the following 10 years than the general population. Women in Europe earn 85% of the average gross hourly wage for men. Men in the Republic of Ireland work an average of 44.7 hrs per week, the highest in the EU.

Conclusion Although proven to be beneficial, there are a variety of ways that employment can affect health and a holistic and comprehensive approach is required by decision-makers who are committed to promoting the health of the workforce. A healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success and improvements in health will help to reduce absenteeism, increase efficiency and productivity.