The Little Blue Book

“In Australia, mental health problems account for the greatest population burden of disability, and our results indicate that poor mental health is associated with adverse job conditions. The results of this study raise concerns about the adverse health effects in people who might be experiencing both high job strain and high job insecurity.” 4 These studies are confirmed by similar research in the UK and Europe examining the correlation between job insecurity and mental health. The conclusions pose questions for policy makers, business and the Australian community about the growth of the ‘gig economy’ and the extent of part-time employment across the Australian economy. For the workplace committed to mental health, however, the implications are clear. (1) Is An Insecure Job Better For Health Than Having No Job At All? A Systematic Review Of Studies Investigating The Health-Related Risks of Both Job Insecurity and Unemployment; Kim T., von dem Knesebeck O.; (2) Perceived Job Insecurity and Worker Health In The United States: Burgard S., Brand J., PhD, and House J., PhD. (3) National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health; R. M. D’Souza, Australian National University. (4) Work and Health in a Contemporary Society: Demands, Control, and Insecurity; R. M. D’Souza, L Strazdins, et al.; Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (5) Driven to Despair – The Hidden Costs of the Gig Economy, Financial Times, UK (2017) (6) Is An Insecure Job Better For Health Than Having No Job At All? A Systematic Review Of Studies Investigating The Health-Related Risks of Both Job Insecurity and Unemployment; Kim T., von dem Knesebeck O., 2015 “Policy interventions should therefore not only consider health risks posed by unemployment, but should also aim at the reduction of insecure employment.” 6 Labour market flexibility: At what Cost? The growth of the ‘gig economy’, and casual, part-time and contract work, is a policy-driven outcome of a re-profiled labour market and the demand by business for greater flexibility. The evidence, however, is clear; insecure employment through casual, part-time and contract work brings with it adverse mental health outcomes. These outcomes – increased anxiety, depression and physical ill-health – come at a community and personal cost. This poses some considerations: • Is it reasonable to accept poor health outcomes from any workplace practice, even when those outcomes are unintended? And, if so, at what price? • Does the ‘bottom line’ benefit to business, shareholders and the broader Australian economy of flexible casualised labour outweigh or might be considered more important to the community than the health burden and social cost of anxiety and depression flowing from job insecurity? • Should the community be asked by business to carry the health cost burden, and the negative impacts on social and family wellbeing, that flows from these practices in a search to lower business costs? • Further, should the community accept labour market practices that pose an identified risk to mental health and wellbeing when there is no acceptance of workplace practices that pose risk to physical health? So, where should the pendulum of labour market flexibility rest? 41 ADA Australia PostScript Section 1 Section 3 Section 2