News

Poor-quality work “worse for health than being unemployed”, says report

By Belinda Liversedge on 13 March 2025

1.7 million workers in Great Britain suffer from health conditions caused or made worse by their job – higher than before the pandemic, a new report has found.

Most health conditions develop outside work, but for a significant number of people, work itself is the cause, said the report produced by independent, cross-sector group, the Commission for Healthier Working Lives.

“Persistent insecurity, workplace discrimination and extreme demands take a serious toll on health,” it said.

“In some cases, poor-quality work is even worse for health than being unemployed.”

Other job features, such as long or irregular hours and night shifts, though sometimes unavoidable, can pose risks if not properly managed, it continues. They can for example increase the risk of anxiety, depression and other serious health issues.

Photograph: iStock

By 2040, it is thought that the number of working-age adults in England living with major illnesses will rise to 3.7 million, up from 3 million in 2019.

But many people could remain in work with better flexibility, job adjustments and timely support, says the report, titled Action for healthier working lives and published this week.

“We heard from a number of leading employers who are taking a comprehensive approach to workforce health by providing support for workers with health issues while considering broader factors like job design and leadership culture,” it said.

The timely report comes as the government’s Employment Rights Bill returned to Parliament for its report stage. MPs debated amendments on 11 March including new rights to request flexible work on day one of employment, a proposed ban on exploitative zero hours contracts and new family friendly rights, such as a right to unpaid bereavement leave.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said: “We are turning the tide – with the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, boosting living standards and bringing with it an upgrade to our growth prospects and the reforms our economy so desperately needs.”