New CIPD report highlights power of good line management in supporting Scottish workers’ wellbeing

The CIPD’s annual Working Lives Scotland report has been published today, sharing insights from over 1,000 Scottish workers. The report highlights an urgent need for organisations to prioritise good people management and employee wellbeing, with over a quarter (26%) of respondents reporting that work negatively affects their mental health. 

High workloads, stress and exhaustion were among the causes reported, with: 

• Over half of respondents saying they’re always, or sometimes, under excessive pressure at work. 

• Close to two-thirds reporting feeling exhausted at work, either all or some of the time. 

• Nearly half of those with excessive workloads also finding it hard to relax in their personal time because of their work. 

The report also highlights the connection between mental health and job satisfaction. Just 34% of those who felt work had a negative impact on their mental health reported being satisfied with their job, compared to 95% of those who felt it had a positive impact. More than a third of those negatively impacted also said they were likely to quit their job in the next 12 months and were less likely to recommend their employer or go above and beyond at work, highlighting wellbeing as an organisational priority. 

Good people management is essential for a healthy, sustainable and productive workforce 

Our research also highlights that workers with supportive managers are much more likely to feel that work has a positive impact on both their mental and physical health.  

Much of the day-to-day responsibility for supporting employees’ health and wellbeing falls on line managers. This includes spotting signs of stress, making supportive adjustments at work and nurturing positive relationships. Managers have a crucial role to play, and we’re urging employers to invest in line manager training to ensure teams are effectively supported. 

The people profession also has an important role to play in building healthy working cultures – including communicating the benefits of a healthy working practices to line managers. We regularly publish practical, evidence-based resources on our website to help people professionals support employees to build positive habits and manage their health. 

Guiding employment policy and practice in Scotland 

According to figures from the Scottish Government, around 800,000 people in Scotland aged 16 to 64 aren’t in work and are economically inactive, many due to long-term sickness or disability. 

Now in its sixth year, data gathered in the Working Lives Scotland report gives a fascinating picture of how worker experience has changed over that time. While the findings in this year’s report suggest that there is still much to be done, it provides vital insight and direction that can be used in the development of policies and initiatives to improve work and working lives in Scotland. 

The power of our research is recognised by the Scottish Government, and it has been used in the development of government guidance, reports and during Parliamentary Committee hearings. It was also used by advisory body the Fair Work Convention in its measurement framework, and has become relied upon as an established data source to guide policy and practice in Scotland. 

This year, the Working Lives Scotland report has been launched as part of the Scottish Government’s first-ever Fair Work Festival. Taking place from Monday 9 June to Friday 13 June, the festival is open to employers, workers and people professionals who want to learn more about fair work and how to implement it in their organisation.