Link between negative work environment and risk of exclusion

The shortage of labour is a much debated issue in Denmark. A study shows that a poor work environment is closely associated with labour market exclusion, and that the work environment factors that can cause exclusion are unevenly spread. In particular, strained work postures, degree of influence over work, poor development opportunities and heavy lifting are factors that can lead to exclusion. Promoting a better work environment is therefore essential in order to prevent exclusion.

A 2007 study, entitled ‘Uneven chances in life as a consequence of an uneven work environment’ (Ulige livschancer som følge af ulige arbejsmiljø (in Danish, 184Kb, PDF)) and conducted by the Economic Council of the Labour Movement (Arbejderbevægelsens Erhvervsråd, AE Rådet), shows a clear link between work environment and the risk of later exclusion from the labour market. The findings also show that work environment factors that can cause exclusion are unevenly spread among different groups in society.

People with no or a lower education, or those on low incomes, have a higher risk of early death, early retirement (anticipatory pension or voluntary early retirement pension) than those with a higher education or high income. The AE Rådet study shows that specific work environment factors partly explain uneven life chances.

Details of study

The study looks at the correlation between work environment factors in 1995 and exclusion from the labour market in 2004. It is based on national data (Den Nationale Arbejdsmiljø Kohorte, [NAK](http://www.arbejdsmiljoforskning.dk/Nationale Data/NAK2005.aspx)) compiled by the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø, NFA) and examines the work environment of some 5,652 Danish workers in 1995. The work environment of the same group of workers is examined once again in 2000 and 2005. These data have been linked with data from Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik, DST) on factors such as income and education. This has allowed for an analysis of elements such as the income and education of those who have participated in the study and how these people have managed in the labour market later on.

Study results

The overall results indicate that:

• the risk of exclusion from the labour market is, to a substantial degree, affected by the work environment (Table 1);

• the different groups in society are – if one looks for example at level of education – unevenly exposed to work environment strains (Table 2);

• it is therefore not surprising that exclusion is unevenly spread in society (Table 3).

The results in Table 1 show that there is a clear link between a person’s own assessment of their ability to work and early retirement. More specifically, people who in 1995 stated that their ability to work was reduced had a higher tendency to be retired or deceased than those stating that their ability to work was not reduced.