Precarious jobs scar employees mental health: survey

[inanna]

By Sara MojtehedzadehWork and Wealth reporter
Mon., March 20, 2017

Poll suggests stress is the biggest disadvantage of insecure work.

Stress, unhappiness and an unhealthy home life are the biggest consequences of unstable employment, according to a new survey of more than 4,000 workers by the Ontario Federation of Labour.

While financial insecurity was flagged as a cause for concern, respondents identified anxiety as the single most important repercussion of precarious jobs.

<snip>

“I’m not surprised because it’s been happening for so long here in this province,” said OFL president Chris Buckley.

“My heart aches for people who are in this situation, because you can’t plan your day-to-day life. You can’t plan your future. You can’t plan anything.”

<snip>

“In absence of proactive policy actions to reverse the rise of precarious work, the increase in mental health issues and family health issues will result in profound social, economic and healthcare costs,” he said.

The Ontario government is currently reviewing its employment and labour laws with an eye to providing better protection for vulnerable workers.

“Right off the hop, workers should have their schedule at least two weeks in advance. They should be able to plan their lives at least two weeks out instead of sitting by the phone. The number of temporary jobs in Ontario has grown by 45 per cent since the year 2000,” Buckley said.

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/20/precarious-jobs-scar-employees-mental-health-survey.html

Yeah, we already know this stuff, but it's great to see it being reported on and addressed by the government (finally!) The Toronto Star has been at the forefront of reporting on this issue, practically forcing the government to respond.

Excellent recent report here as well from the Law Commission of Ontario:

Identifying Vulnerable Workers and Precarious Work

[Doreen]

1. If you want to know what your schedule is two weeks ahead

do not work for Walmart. Walmart does everything that would make an employee miserable. When I worked for Walmart I had looked at my schedule the night before and it read I was supposed to be in a particular area so I came dressed for that. Well they changed it between 10:00pm and 8:00am before I got to work. I also came late so they said because they changed my schedule and said it did not matter when I showed them what I had written down from their schedule post a few days earlier. they said I should had called in. I have know a lot of people who have gone through that with them. I have never had a more miserable job in my life.

[inanna]

2. I have heard absolute horror stories about the employment conditions

at Wal-Mart.

I am so glad you found your way out of there. Hopefully somewhere better!

Good news is the gov't will soon be cracking down on these types of practices.

[Doreen]

3. I have been under the impession that the government wants

to protect the way places like Walmart conduct their treatment of employees. If the not having to pay for overtime goes into effect I can guarantee Walmart will overwork their employees. They will go from not getting enough hours to doing to many. If they get to decide how much they want to pay I can guarantee you they will pay the employees less and most just get minimum wage. If it does not matter if they need things to be safe for the employees they will become a very unsafe workplace and if someone gets injured they will just simply fire them.

[inanna]

4. You should read this report from the CBC:

From CBC dated Feb 27, 2017 5:00 AM ET

Big changes considered for Ontario workplaces

Report could trigger the most sweeping reforms to employment and labour laws since the 1990s

Premier Kathleen Wynne's government is about to get advice that could lead to a significant shakeup of the laws governing work in Ontario.

The Changing Workplaces Review is examining just about everything related to labour law in this province, including sick pay, overtime, how workers can join unions and employers' responsibilities to contract workers.

It could trigger the most significant reforms to the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act since Mike Harris was premier.

...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-changing-workplaces-review-labour-law-1.3994571

Reading the above gave me a lot of optimism and hope! I hope it does the same for you as well.

[Doreen]

5. Well, I am no longer able to work so that part is taken care of.

If I was still working however the things in that article would not do me any good unless Canada would accept me to become a citizen as I am American. Americas repukes are planning on taking any safety and protection of employees away.

[inanna]

6. Oh silly me!

I thought you were in Canada!

Yes, sadly I agree that under Trump, workers' rights will definitely erode.

[Doreen]

7. Don't feel silly. It was a good thought.

Canada looks like it is getting better laws while ours are going down the crapper.