With a strong focus on health - both physical and mental - in the workplace at the moment, new research suggests that even a worker's experience of fairness (or lack of it) at work can impact on their health.
A study by the University of East Anglia (UEA) found that when perceptions of fairness changed in the office, the self-rated health of workers also changed. For example, those who experienced more fairness on average over the study period reported better health.
The findings suggest that fairness at work is a crucial aspect of psychosocial work environment and that changes towards greater fairness can improve employees' health. It also found that changes in employees' health are related to changes in fairness perceptions, indicating that the health status of employees may also affect how employees feel treated at work.
Dr Constanze Eib, lecturer in organisational behaviour at UEA's Norwich Business School and research at Stockholm University, said: "The findings can help raise awareness among employers and authorities that fairness at work, but also health is important to consider to increase satisfaction, well-being and productivity in the workplace and wider society.
"It is important to know about these issues as there may be things that can be done to improve perceptions of fairness at work. For example, making sure people feel their views are considered, they are consulted about changes and that decisions are made in an unbiased way.
"People who feel fairly treated are not only more likely to be motivated at work and go the extra mile for their organisation, but they are also more likely to be healthy, have an active lifestyle and feel positive."
