It’s well known that factors such as our pay, working hours and job security go into our overall job satisfaction levels, but they may also play a big role in our overall health, and even our risk of physical injury.  So says new research from the University of Washington, which explores how important employment conditions are to our health.

The researchers say that due to the forces technology and economic change are imposing on the nature of work, our current models for understanding the workplace are simply not fit for purpose.  The traditional view of steady, full-time employment with good job security and regular hours is eroding, with contingent work rising in popularity.  The over simplistic view of the workplace may be missing crucial aspects that influence our health.

“Employment relationships are complex. They determine everything from how much you get paid, how much control you have over your work schedule, your opportunities for advancement and how much protection you have against adverse working conditions, like harassment,” the researchers explain.

Healthy work

To gain a more nuanced understanding of the impact work is having on us, the researchers gathered data from the annual General Social Survey from 2002 to 2014. The survey allows for an understanding of physical, mental and occupational health alongside the kind and quality of employment of several thousand American adults.

“There are many different forms of employment in the modern economy,” the researchers say. “Our study suggests that it is the different combinations of employment characteristics, which workers experience together as a package, that is important for their health.”

A number of clear trends emerged from the data.  For instance, those workers in jobs with little security or career prospects were more likely to report poor physical and mental health, as well as a greater risk of occupational injury.

Mental health was also an issue for those in high skilled, but inflexible professions, such as physicians or military personnel, while gig workers also suffered from mental health issues.

The researchers hope that their findings can help to better inform policy discussions and ensure that the wellbeing of workers of various types is better catered for in future.

“Using policy and legal levers to influence how people are hired and treated at work can have profound effects on improving the health of workers and their communities,” they conclude.