Culture Dysfunction Can Kill
- Kathy Ratcliffe
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Engineers are among the most likely socio-demographic groups to take their own lives.
Engineering workers are 3.7 times more likely to die by suicide
than the national average.
This sobering statistic SHOULD act as a wake-up call to sector leaders while the engineering industry sits on the fence regarding employee welfare, continuing to invest heavily in emergent technology while ignoring the needs of its human workforce.
Not all industrial companies are being complacent - some are notably stepping up to the plate and reporting major gains from doing so. Still, most are reluctant to move beyond fish'n'chip Fridays and sit down with their teams to forge a strategy they can commit to.
Britain's position in global markets is reliant on cultural integrity. Made in Britain once stood for something tangible, a badge of honour people were proud to wear working in industrial sectors. Now its leaders fear foreign imports, the young intake is confused about what engineering is, academia struggles to develop connections with employers and staff churn is a major cause of fiscal breakdown in SMEs.
Joining the dots, it's not hard to see that stress from draconian management systems, lack of recognition for effort and enforced psychological isolation are contributing to the appalling rate of stress-related incidents and the struggle SMEs are facing to stay open. This is not an alarmist statement, it's a true reflection on the state of play in the vast majority of industrial workplaces.
Tulway Engineering spoke out about the tragic statistic in 2021 and remain top of Google listings on the subject today. In fact, lack of research and exposure on the subject is alarming in itself. With the UK at the bottom of the pile in international ratings on workplace welfare, clearly the situation is not showing signs of improvement.
Studies by Harvard and Gallup have shown a £4-to-£1 ROI on people-centric initiatives and a £300+billion loss from workplace disengagement. Nevertheless, resistance is high on implementing sustainable strategies.
Why?
This is a question that must be asked, and answered, in-house.
To contribute to the much-needed debate, comment on posts relating to stress levels at work. Do some research and bring it to the boardroom. I'll be hosting a Panel Discussion at SUBCON in June and hope to see you there. Your voice is needed NOW... we cannot continue to let the toll mount as fatal costs to British industry continue to rise.
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