We all need good work, a level of control over our work and enough income to live healthily. That means safe working conditions, fair contractual conditions, and stable employment that pays at least the real Living Wage. It’s important, too, that people who are unable to work are not left behind financially.
Everyone needs a certain level of income to afford the basics for a healthy life. The growing use of food banks has highlighted the issue of food insecurity, and lower-income families find it harder to put healthy food on the table.
It’s not surprising that being out of work, in low-paid employment or under-employed, has a significant and long-term negative impact on health and wellbeing. The welfare system also has a big impact, and benefit sanctions can be particularly harmful to people’s health.
Healthy jobs are not just about money, either. They can be about hours: part-time work and zero-hours contracts can be a problem, but so can overwork and work-life balance. And healthy jobs can also be about working culture: feeling valued, being heard and having a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.
Stating the facts
- Black and minority ethnic women are around twice as likely as white workers to be employed in insecure jobs. (Source: TUC, BME women are twice as likely to be in insecure jobs as white workers)
- 30 per cent of 18 year olds in the UK are not in education or training, leaving them likely to be in low-skilled work or unemployed. Unemployment and low-skilled work are both closely associated with long-term physical and mental health issues.
- People who are unemployed or in low paid jobs are more likely to have physical and mental health problems, as well as lower self-esteem. (Source: Institute of Health Equity, Promoting good quality jobs to reduce health inequalities)
Our work on jobs, income and health
We fund projects that support people to access jobs in their communities. We also prioritise jobs and income in our policy work, working with the Living Wage Foundation and other partners. We are particularly interested in the role that anchor institutions, such as hospitals and universities, can play in providing training and employment in neighbourhoods experiencing disadvantage.
We are calling for the government to invest in local employment support for communities least likely to have access to good work. Support to access and remain in good work requires tailored activities from sources people trust. When this is delivered by and for communities with specific expertise in the needs of the local community, the support is more likely to include the right knowledge and skills.
We support the Living Hours campaign led by Living Wage Foundation. This calls for:
- at least four weeks’ notice of shifts, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period
- the right to a contract that reflects accurate hours worked
- a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours work per week, unless the worker requests otherwise.
Read more in our community manifesto for health justice.
The Living Wage means for me that I get to enjoy a better quality of life not just for me but also for my family. I also feel that my employers really value me and the work that I’m doing
Rehana Begum
Centre Manager, Aspire and Succeed, Local Conversation in Lozells
Second Stitch at Home
The project supports members with basic sewing skills who are interested in the employment in the garment business or a sewing machinist career by providing them with advanced techniques using a range of different teaching methods.
The research on jobs, income and health
Local Action on Health Inequalities: Promoting Good Quality Jobs to Reduce Health Inequalities: report by the UCL Institute of Health Equity for Public Health England, 2021
Relationship between income and health: Research by the Health Foundation on self-rated health, grouped by household income, 2021
Living in poverty was bad for your health long before COVID-19: Research by the Health Foundation, 2020
