Gig economy workers, temps and workers on zero-hours contracts report receiving fewer protections for their health and wellbeing at work than their permanent, full-time colleagues, according to findings from a survey published by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Many are working when sick, working unpaid overtime and going throughout the year without a paid holiday, the IOSH-commissioned Opinium survey found.
From health advice and counselling to fire safety inductions and the issue of personal protective equipment, non-permanent workers say they come out second best.
With companies such as Uber and Deliveroo in the news for the way they employ gig workers, and the publication in July of the Government-commissioned Taylor Review into modern work practices, the employment or hiring of non-permanent workers is under scrutiny.
With two government select committees set to report back on modern work practices following his review, Matthew Taylor backed IOSH’s call for a ‘day one agreement’ between employer and non-permanent worker that includes a pledge to protect the worker’s health and wellbeing.
IOSH director of strategic development Shelley Frost said:
“Workplace health risks don’t discriminate according to your employment status. When you think of work-related stress, fire risk – these are all posing the same threat to permanent and non-permanent workers.
“There shouldn’t be discrepancies between permanent employees and non-permanent workers in employers’ measures to safeguard their safety, health and wellbeing.
“When it responds to the Taylor Review, we want the Government to consider these findings and the very real health risks faced by workers outside of permanent, full-time employment.
“We would welcome up-front agreements between employers and non-permanent workers that set out the same level of care for their health and wellbeing as permanent employees, and linked to their role.”
