Healthy Work Survey

If you have scored in the highest risk level in the U.S. population for job demands, this means that compared to most others in the U.S. working population, your job demands are very high. Having high job demands means you have a combination of a challenging workload, work pace and/or conflicting demands, meaning that you are often interrupted by demands from different sources making it more difficult to finish all your tasks. High job demands can be harmful to your health especially if it is coupled with a lack of job control and or job resources (job strain). Here are some ideas of how others have improved job demands or tools to help you cope with or improve your job demands.

If you have scored in the highest risk level in the U.S. population for low job control, this means that, compared to other workers, you have a job where you have less autonomy over decisions affecting your work tasks (decision-authority). You may have less “say” or voice about making improvements in your working conditions or participating with management in decision-making about the organization. Job control can be improved by designing jobs that encourage creativity, provide opportunities to learn new things, and develop or use your special skills or abilities (skill discretion). Low job control when coupled with high job demands is called job strain, which is associated with higher blood pressure/hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke as well as mental health problems including burnout and depression. It is not easy to change the power relations between your employer and yourself in order to have more of a say over your tasks, your working conditions or about the organization. It is better to work with coworkers or a union (if you have one) to increase participation of all employees in decision making. Here are some ideas about how to improve job control.

If you have scored in the highest risk level in the U.S. population for work-family conflict, this means you have high levels of work-family (or work-life) conflict compared to most U.S. workers. Work-family conflict is a lack of time and energy to adequately meet both the demands of work and non-work life simultaneously. You come home too tired after work to do the things you enjoy or you have so much work that it prevents you from spending time with family or friends or pursuing personal interests. Also, challenges at home might interfere with your ability to perform your job. Work-family conflict is a major stressor that can lead to burnout, sleep problems and other health and productivity outcomes. There are some ways to reduce work-family conflict if an organization is willing to train supervisors and other managers to practice more family-supportive supervisor practices, and to provide flexible work policies (e.g. working from home, part-time hours, shared jobs). Here are some ideas from others who have reduced work-family conflict on the job.

If you have scored in the highest risk level in the U.S. population for low rewards, this means you are less likely than other workers in the U.S. to experience respectful work, fair promotion opportunities, and job security. Also, you may be more likely to report that what you earn on the job is less than what you deserve or less than others who do the same job. When rewards do not match the required effort or responsibility of a job, this is also a major stressor called effort-reward imbalance which can increase your risk for depression, burnout and CVD. Here are some ideas from others who have improved “rewards” on the job.

If you have scored in the highest risk level in the U.S. population for poor safety climate at work, this means you report that management at your workplace is less likely to prioritize the safety of workers or that they take shortcuts when it comes to worker health and safety. A healthy work environment should be free of physical hazards, including safety and mechanical hazards, toxic chemicals, noise, radiation, infectious diseases, extremes of heat and cold, and ergonomic design hazards. Poor safety climate may mean you are at risk of work-related injury and illnesses. You have a right to know what hazards you are exposed to in your workplace and there are many organizations in your county or state that can help you identify and report hazards.