I think that this kind of study is extremely valuable and should be
carried out in other kinds of workplaces. I believe that studies of
government workers in Britain have shown similar health effects and the
effects followed a gradient--the lowest control jobs had the highest
stress levels and the highest rates of illness for the workers and so on
up to the highest ranks, where workers enjoyed good health.
Personally, I was a worker for several years in a government
(Ontario) office. The demand in terms of workload was extremely high, the
control was zero. I strongly suspect that government workers everywhere
experience the highest levels of stress, especially due to cut-backs
during the 1990s. Yet, no one seems to be concerned about the health of
government workers.
I experienced a severe back problem (herniated disc) and after two
operations, I find myself permanently disabled and suffering chronic pain,
muscle spasms, and muscle cramps. The word must get out about the
negative health effects of workplaces that give employees little control
over their work. We will otherwise experience a health care crisis in
most Western countries.
Employers of all kinds--private and public sector--must be encouraged
to make these changes, which will also, I suspect improve productivity,
cut absenteeism and encourage workers to do their best work. We must
finally rid ourselves of the philosophy of "Scientific Management"
promoted by Taylor in the 1910s and move on to a new, enlightened century.
Rapid Response:
Workplace stress is widespread
I think that this kind of study is extremely valuable and should be
carried out in other kinds of workplaces. I believe that studies of
government workers in Britain have shown similar health effects and the
effects followed a gradient--the lowest control jobs had the highest
stress levels and the highest rates of illness for the workers and so on
up to the highest ranks, where workers enjoyed good health.
Personally, I was a worker for several years in a government
(Ontario) office. The demand in terms of workload was extremely high, the
control was zero. I strongly suspect that government workers everywhere
experience the highest levels of stress, especially due to cut-backs
during the 1990s. Yet, no one seems to be concerned about the health of
government workers.
I experienced a severe back problem (herniated disc) and after two
operations, I find myself permanently disabled and suffering chronic pain,
muscle spasms, and muscle cramps. The word must get out about the
negative health effects of workplaces that give employees little control
over their work. We will otherwise experience a health care crisis in
most Western countries.
Employers of all kinds--private and public sector--must be encouraged
to make these changes, which will also, I suspect improve productivity,
cut absenteeism and encourage workers to do their best work. We must
finally rid ourselves of the philosophy of "Scientific Management"
promoted by Taylor in the 1910s and move on to a new, enlightened century.
Competing interests: No competing interests