Work Matters

Our relationship with work is complex. Work provides a sense of identity and purpose and absorbs a substantial amount of our lives. Work may be boring, challenging, absorbing or stressful. The stress of unemployment can be greater still, bringing a range of ills from depression and loss of self-esteem to psychosomatic symptoms and major health crises. At work, stress or pressure can provoke us to raise our performance but excess pressure leads to burnout. For individuals, what is energising to one can drain another of their energy and motivation. The impact of positive and negative effects of work has been the subject of much research. Jobs with high mental demands, coupled with low control over the work, lead to mental strain and illness. The impact of sickness absence is significant: 35% of workdays lost in the UK in 2014/2015. Employers face other challenges as new generations join the work pool bringing with them new expectations of engagement. Work that couples high mental demands with high levels of control brings coherence and leads to greater learning, motivation and a sense of mastery. The conditions necessary for greater employee coherence (and productivity) can be created for the benefit of all.