Unfair Workplace: Bad for the Heart & Productivity

The perception of being unfairly treated can do more harm than just putting a monkey-wrench into your happiness scale, it might be bad for the heart. A study done by the University College London reveals that those who complained of being unfairly treated were 55% more likely to have a coronary incident, like a heart attack.

The findings were based on an analysis of data from more than 8,000 civil servants over a ten year period in the UK. The study also revealed that workers who reported a high level of unfairness were more likely to be smokers, hypertensives, obese, sedentary, and non-drinkers.

You don’t have to live in the UK or be a British civil servant to understand that this study, while broad, puts some muscle in the argument for employers to spend a little more time on the happiness of their employees and general worklife policy. It actually matters a lot, not only on a human level but also with regard to productivity.

A key to productivity is to "know thyself." An employee might ask herself…

• What are my strengths and limitations?
• Will my workplace allow me the freedom to make business decisions without being criticized at every turn?
• Can I work within the deadline or time constraints layed out by the company?
• Can I work effectively and happily in this working environment?

These are all difficult questions to tackle for an employee whose voice is not heard, and who is not treated fairly – with respect. If an employee is feeling unappreciated, made to feel unworthy as a person, or even discriminated against – self worth is likely to plummet. Such an environment is likely to contribute to stress or depression; factors that impact productivity. The bottom-line is that an employee who feels less than, might be indecisive or less productive as a whole. Treating employees fairly is just good business.