One in five working Scots losing sleep due to money worries
CIPD urges a renewed focus on financial wellbeing and job quality improvements to help workers during the cost-of-living crisis
CIPD urges a renewed focus on financial wellbeing and job quality improvements to help workers during the cost-of-living crisis
A new report from the CIPD, which explores the quality of working lives in Scotland, shows significant numbers of Scotland's working population are losing sleep due to money worries, and are suffering from poor mental health, excessive workloads and stress.
The fourth annual Working Lives Scotland report surveyed over 1,000 Scottish workers. It found the worsening impact of the cost-of-living crisis has led to one in five (20%) working Scots losing sleep due to money worries, with nearly a third (32%) saying their employer is not doing enough to support their financial wellbeing.
In addition, challenges around the impact of work on mental health, excessive workloads and stress, as well as considerable gaps in flexible working or the opportunity to have their voice heard, persist. Poorer job quality outcomes for those in so-called key worker* roles stand out in particular, with nearly two in five (37%) saying their workload is too high.
In response, the CIPD urges a renewed focus on financial wellbeing and job quality more broadly from the Scottish Government and employers.
“The cost-of-living crisis continues to cast a shadow over the working lives of people across Scotland. We have seen a considerable worsening of employees’ financial wellbeing year on year, with real impacts on their daily lives. Better pay is important, but there are many other steps employers can take to improve their employees’ lives.
“Focusing on job quality is key – through improved benefits packages and job design, better skills development and career advancement pathways, effective two-way communication and broader flexibility. Getting all these aspects right can make work fairer.
“Overall job quality has barely been impacted by the pandemic, but that means that serious gaps persist. All jobs have the potential to be better, but employers and governments need to know what to address. Our report helps them in this task.”
The CIPD surveyed 1,000 Scottish workers across the five Fair Work Framework dimensions: respect, security, fulfilment, opportunity and effective voice. From the results, the CIPD has identified three key areas that the Scottish Government and employers must address to support better working lives:
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