Changes in working practices and the move towards precarious working

There are indications that changes in working practices, eg increases in virtual working, homeworking, teleworking, part-time working, 24 hour working, and any trends toward increases in temporary or insecure work, may be associated with a deterioration in occupational health and safety (OHS) in terms of injury rates, disease risk, stress, hazard exposures, or worker (and manager) knowledge of OHS and regulatory responsibilities.

Implications

• As work patterns become more varied it may be difficult to assess and manage the risks to staff who may be temporary, mobile, work remotely, including at home, and work non-standard hours. Workers may be less likely to report problems and/or absence when away from the workplace and monitoring of health and safety matters might be more difficult.

Reports

• Flexible working and employment patterns short form report [PDF 140kb]