'Good work' is good for you, but what is 'good work'?

Health and safety minister Lord McKenzie said he wanted business, government, and healthcare experts and charities to put their heads together to agree what actually constituted "good work".

The minister explained that although evidence had shown that work could be beneficial to physical and mental

health, the work had to be "good". However the problem was that there was no widely accepted understanding or definition of the phrase "despite considerable presumed knowledge".

His comments came as he opened the first in a series of events which aim to inform and develop a framework for employers to ensure their workplaces are healthy and efficient.

Lord McKenzie said: "We know that good work is beneficial for individuals, communities, and the economy. But we need to figure out exactly what 'good work' is, so that we can ensure workplaces are happy, healthy and productive.

"This may necessitate a radical rethink, including addressing outdated work practices, increasing flexible working, cutting red tape, and promoting effective and open work cultures."

Definitive decision

Lord McKenzie added: "Positive changes will reduce the number of days lost to ill health and injury, and allow people to remain in and return to work quicker. A collective effort is essential to achieve this - government must work alongside businesses, charities and healthcare professionals."

At the end of a series of four separate seminars, the Work Foundation is planning to produce a summary report, which will provide a definition of "good work".

Last September the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published an independent scientific review, which examined whether work was good for health. The overall conclusion which was drawn, was that work was "generally good for physical and mental health and well-being."

The review was commissioned as part of the Government's 'Health, Work and Well-being' strategy, which is about improving the health of the working age population, preventing work related injury or illness, intervening early when health problems arise, and providing rehabilitation support.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), two million people suffered from an illness caused or made worse by work in 2005/06.