'Profoundly disturbing' levels of stress reported by charity workers, warns Unite

21 May 2019 News

Some 80 per cent of charity workers experience workplace stress, a survey of Unite members has found.

According to a survey by the union, Unite, 80 per cent of workers reported stress in the last 12 months. Some 42 per cent of workers said that their job was not good for their mental health.

The figures come from a survey of 850 union members from 238 charities, including Action for Children, Age UK, RSPCA, Save the Children, Oxfam and Mind.

As well as stress, the survey reveals perceived issues in management of their organisations. 44 per cent said they did not believe they worked for a well-managed organisation and 40 per cent did not feel their job was secure. A further 34 per cent did not feel valued at work.

Commenting on the findings, Siobhan Endean, Unite national officer for charities and the voluntary sector, said: “The survey’s findings are profoundly disturbing. While some charities and NGOs are committed to ensuring their staff’s welfare it is clear many are not.

“Staff employed by charities and NGOs tend to be very committed to their organisation and are usually loathe to speak out as their fear it will damage the cause they work for. However, many workers are clearly at breaking point.”

Civil Society Media's Charity People & Culture Conference takes place in September and this year the overall theme is 'Wellbeing & inclusion in modernisation'. View the programme and book online here.

 

 

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