According to a research established as the incoming Labour administration prepares stricter regulations for companies, British workplaces rank amongst the worst in Europe for long hours, strict deadlines, and restricted autonomy—all without being any more productive.
Only a third of the workers had the option to select their own pace, according to the survey, which opens in a new tab. Three-fifths of the workforce reported having to work at fast speeds and meeting tight deadlines, which is among the highest percentages in Europe.
In order to improve working conditions mandated by new employment laws, the study was created for the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, a group established by the British Health Foundation think tank with trade union involvement.
One of the report’s writers, Jonny Gifford, principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, stated that “long hours, work intensity, and a lack of control or work autonomy are problem areas to prioritise now.”
Former IES chief Tony Wilson, another co-author, departed the organization in October to join the British Labor Ministry as a senior advisor.
Some companies are concerned about the new the federal government’s course.
The Confederation of British Industry issued a warning on Monday that stricter employment laws run the danger of making issues worse due to a sharp increase in social security levies and the minimum wage, which it believes would result in fewer jobs, lower wages, and less long-term investment in the economy.
Conditions in construction, transportation, warehousing, retail, and hospitality were usually worse, according to the survey, but they varied by sector. Among occupations, teachers and nurses reported the most stress.
A study of working conditions conducted by the European Union in 2021 provided a large portion of the data. Although they performed worse overall, Britons reported above-average relationships with supervisors and coworkers.
According to the survey, “the UK ranks amongst the most stressful countries in Europe for workplace expectations, control at work, and job strain on nearly every measure.” It also stated that around half of Britons reported feeling weary from their jobs.
The survey also noted that throughout the previous 25 years, workplace stress had grown.
