The ways in which we work can have large impacts on our sleep, physical and mental health, and our ability to spend time with family and friends. In particular, the number of hours we spend at work can impact our ability to lead healthy lifestyles. As well as the consequences for individual wellbeing, there may be knock-on impacts for employers, if their workforce is more likely to take time off sick due to ill health. It is therefore important to understand the links between employment – such as how much time we spent at work – and health.
In this project, we’ll use a large amount of Biobank data from participants across the UK to investigate the relationship between the number of hours we work each week and important health factors. In particular, we will look at the amount of sleep participants get, their quality of diet, the occurrence of mental and physical health conditions, and the ways in which brain regions connect to each other and respond to simple tasks. This will be the first study investigating how much time we spend at work relates to health in Biobank participants.
This work could have significant impacts on public health and policy. First, by informing employers of the effects of different working practices on health of employees. Second, by providing implications for policymakers in government when making decisions on working conditions and labour laws. Third, by educating the general public on the effects of working long hours on our brain, body, and wellbeing. Through these three avenues, this work will help us understand how society can strive towards better working practices that consider both the wellbeing of workers and the strength of our economy.
The project is funded by a UKRI research grant to Dr Charlotte Rae at the University of Sussex over 2024-2028.