Aches, pains and alcohol for many home workers

PEOPLE forced to work from home because of the coronavirus crisis are drinking more alcohol, eating less healthier food and having problems sleeping, a new study suggests.

A survey of 500 workers by the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) also revealed a significant increase in musculoskeletal complaints.

More than half of those polled reported new aches and pains, especially in the neck, shoulder and back, compared with their normal physical condition.

Diet and exercise are on the wane, with one fifth of respondents admitting to an increase in alcohol consumption, while a third said they were eating a less healthy diet, and more than half acknowledging that they are exercising less.

Poor sleep and increased risk of exhaustion are also a cause for concern, said the report.

Most respondents reported a loss of sleep due to worry and corresponding increased symptoms of fatigue.

Half said they are working long and irregular hours and are not happy with their current work-life balance.

One in three said they frequently feel isolated and more than a fifth are worried about job security.

Stephen Bevan, of the IES, said: “These interim findings paint a picture of a new homeworking workforce that faces significant physical and mental well-being challenges.

“Employers need to recognise they are still responsible for the well-being of their staff, even when working from home, and there are a number of steps they can take to improve employee well-being.”

Meanwhile, nine out of 10 workers were confident their employers were doing everything they could to protect their personal safety, a separate survey found.

The Toluna and Harris Interactive research, which polled 598 workers on April 1, found 77% of employees felt their employer was at least somewhat prepared to handle a crisis such as this.

And despite lay-offs and furloughing, 58% were still highly motivated to do their best job.

Vijay Mistry, head of employee experience research for Harris Interactive and Toluna, said: “It’s clear from our findings that, while UK employees have concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic and the new working from home landscape, they are adapting successfully and are even increasingly committed to their company’s goals.”