Job insecurity biggest concern for workers

Robertson Cooper’s Julie Wacker told delegates at Health and Safety Scotland today that “employers feel under pressure in their organisation if their role is uncertain”. 

Speaking generally on employee wellbeing, Wacker admitted that it is something still not truly committed to by employers. “Wellbeing has a bit of a bad reputation. People don’t tend to take it seriously,” she said.

“It’s not the fruit drop or the yoga at lunchtime, it’s linked to performance,” she told the audience of safety professionals. “But it’s also linked to safety culture and impacts on work performance.”

Explaining Robertson Cooper’s Good Day at Work initiative, Wacker suggested that we can all relate to having completed a good day at work: “We’ve got our tasks done with efficiency, satisfied with our performance; a feeling that we’ve done a good job.” she said.

The consultancy surveyed 6,000 workers, asking employees what emotions rise following a good day at work: 28 per cent felt they were more productive; 31 per cent felt more creative and, importantly; 78 per cent are more likely to recommend their employers. “When people start to show commitment to their organisations, then performance is really being driven,” she said.

She suggested a middle ground of pressure can drive work satisfaction. “It creates positive emotions and a positive sense of purpose. It’s about creating the culture where stress is less likely to happen.”

“Wellbeing doesn’t mean there is no stress in the workplace,” she put to the audience, “It’s about creating the culture where stress is less likely to happen.”