Changes in Work Organisation
A look at the way work is now being carried out
In the developed world permanent work is no longer recognised as the normal arrangement. We are moving closer and closer to informal employment as a result of the changes taking place in the 21st century. Technology, demographics and climate change has impacted work organisation – and this is a significant development for workplace safety and well-being.
Home working, the gig economy, casual work, on-call work, contract work and self-employment are forcing many workers into excessive hours and lower pay. These practices are now being referred to as “non-standard forms of employment” and are universally being recognised as a way for companies to stay lean and agile, and to deal with the demands of change and globalisation. The knock-on effect for workers is a lack of job security and employment and protections such as health and safety management and social protection. Issues such as “work/life balance” and “psychosocial risk” are quickly becoming the new challenges of occupational health and safety.
Excessive working hours
Gender variations see men officially working longer hours, however women suffer poor work/life balance when childcare and family life is factored in
A third of the global workforce are exposed to excessive hours of work which is classified as >48 hours per week. Low wages are (naturally) associated with excessive work hours. Excessive working hours are also more likely to be associated with developing economies. Long work hours are associated with the following types of health issues:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Poor mental health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Poor sleep and sleeping disorders
Gender variations see men officially working longer hours, however women suffer poor work/life balance when childcare and family life is factored in. To reduce the negative effects of excessive working and improve health & safety outcomes it is imperative that employers address the issue of work/life balance and the associated issues such as autonomy, and expectations of overtime with low rewards.
Non-standard forms of employment
Those participating in long and erratic hours of work are usually exposed to 4 areas of risk. They include the following:
- Injury-related risks
- Psychosocial risks e.g. harassment
- Poor work conditions
- Fatigue
Statistics tell us that injury rates of temporary and contract workers compare unfavourably with other workers. Temporary workers are typically brought onboard to do the type of tasks that permeant staff do not want to do i.e. hazardous work. Their make-up usually consists of young, inexperienced people with little to no leverage on issues such as safety, health and welfare. They are also made-up of migrant workers who lack safety training and are sub-contracted to carry out work that has been already contracted out at multiple levels. Temporary and contract workers have no bargaining on their hours of work.
We are also told that piece-meal and contract work is associated with high levels of psychosocial risks. Informal arrangements mean there is no HR support, H&S support, healthcare, etc . for those tasked with long and erratic hours. Bullying, violence, and exploitation of informal workers is common and leads to fatigue, unchecked stress and mental illness.
The informal economy
Home working, the gig economy, casual work, on-call work, contract work and self-employment are forcing many workers into excessive hours and lower pay
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) states that 60 per cent of the world population is employed in the informal economy. This means that most people in the world do not have regular income, no social protections, no representation in employment and no leverage with regards to their rights. And as far as OHS regulation is concerned their work is invisible to enforcement and inspection.