Managers ‘facing health risks’

Many managers are putting their health at risk as a result of a “harmful” culture that is sweeping across British industry, research has shown.

The Chartered Institute of Management highlighted that many bosses complete 46 days of unpaid overtime a year, carry on working while ill, and suffer from increased stress and depression.

Researchers noted that the study, which covered around 1,000 managers, paints a “bleak” picture, with low job satisfaction and poor health being by-products of bigger workloads.

It also highlights that “negative” management styles have started to emerge in recent years, which include bosses being overly authoritarian or bureaucratic.

The study warns that these issues are holding back economic growth, reducing productivity and causing a business decline.

The study found that managers are now working for longer and suffering more with ill-health than they were in 2007.

Most of the managers who took part in the study also reported that their organisation has been restructured over the past 12 months, with almost half seeing compulsory redundancies.

Justin Govier, Partner at IBB Solicitors comments:

“Unfortunately, these research findings highlight (only) some of the consequences of the financial situation that many businesses find themselves in. As a result of employers making redundancies to cut costs, workloads are increasing for the remaining staff – most commonly middle management – and morale is decreasing. Management styles are becoming more protective and ‘micro’ which has a negative impact on staff.

Employers can use positive measures to counter this by being transparent about the issues they are facing and explaining the decisions that are being made. This can be done by promoting a ‘we are in this together’ attitude, advertising organisation successes, exploring flexible working opportunities, being more proactive regarding ill-health and considering cost-effective ways of rewarding those undertaking unpaid overtime. On a positive, the Olympics may also be an opportunity to inject further morale into the business”.

Justin, ranked in Chambers UK 2011 / 2012, is the partner in charge of IBB’s Employment team.

IBB’s Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. To make an enquiry, call the Employment team on 08456 381 381 or email enquiries@ibblaw.co.uk.