Impact of Zero-Hours Contracts on Care Worker Well-Being

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Jermaine Ravalier

Bath Spa University, UK

: J Trauma Stress Disor

Abstract

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Care workers often receive negative UK press coverage which highlights abusive and neglectful behaviours from employees. Currently, the care industry is also the most likely to employ workers under zero-hours contracts. The use of zero-hours contracts is also receiving much negative media attention in the UK. It is estimated that over 1 million employees work under zero-hours contracts, with over 60% of all social care workers employed under such contracts. However, while related working conditions such as shift work and temporary contractual conditions have been shown to impact the employee’s health and family outcomes, the impact that zero-hours contracts have on employee wellbeing, performance and work life balance has never been investigated. Preliminary findings from our study (current n = 90, expected n = 200), due for completion in August 2016, has thus far demonstrated that there are mean differences in levels of engagement, general mental health and psychosocial stress. Qualitative interviews however have demonstrated thatthis population of care workers appreciate the worries inherent with zero-hours contracts and the impact that this can have on wellbeing. However, many have also demonstrated that the flexibility that these contracts offer fit their lifestyle. We will also demonstrate employee-led suggestions for improvement of the care industry and interventions for improvement on workrelated stress. This study is funded by the Richard Benjamin Trust, London, UK.

Biography

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Email: ravalier@bathspa.ac.uk