The health of industrial employees four years after compulsory redundancy

Abstract

A controlled, longitudinal study of the health of workers made redundant when a meat products factory closed has been performed using morbidity data extracted from the records of a group general practice. Increases in consultation rates and the number of visits to hospital outpatient departments in the group made redundant are contrasted with opposite trends in a control group who remained securely employed. As in earlier findings, the increases in morbidity in the study group began when they learned that their jobs were in jeopardy.

The subsequent employment history of those made redundant was obtained by questionnaire. In the four years after redundancy, 50 of the 76 men in-the study group found new full-time jobs. The other 26 men remained out of work for most of this time or were made redundant once again. This 'jobless' group consulted their general practitioners 57% more often about 13% more illnesses, were referred to hospital outpatient departments 63% more often and visited hospital 208% more frequently than when enjoying secure employment. During an intervening two-year period of job insecurity, there were increases of 45%, 9%, 25% and 28% respectively, for this jobless group.

The implications of these findings for primary care, for the National Health Service and for future research are discussed in the present context of high levels of unemployment.