Labor Day 2022: A Statement by NIOSH Director, John Howard, MD

Posted on by John Howard, MD

On the first Monday of September, we have an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions and achievements of American workers. Labor Day is an important reminder of the impact of the U.S. workforce and of our vision for safer, healthier workers.

Sometimes, the greatest threats to workers are ones we cannot see. Work stress can negatively impact workers’ mental and physical health. We know that increased negative mental health symptoms among workers are linked to increased absenteeism, high turnover, lower productivity, and lower morale. Job-related factors like low wages, lack of supervisor support, task overload, and job security can harm a workers ability to function optimally in and outside of work.

Working conditions are so influential that some occupations are known to have higher rates of suicide than others. The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. First responders may also be at elevated risk. In fact, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. While the causes of suicide are complex, many occupational factors can play a role, including work environments, workplace culture, and stress. Important strategies to improve occupational factors for suicide prevention include creating and maintaining healthy work organizations, increasing worker job control, and ensuring an optimal level of work demands.

The U.S. Surgeon General recently highlighted these concerns in an advisory addressing health worker burnout. Burnout is the result of chronic workplace stress due to an imbalance between job demands and resources. In a recently published study, our researchers found that healthcare support workers and aides, as well as counselors and those who are directly addressing the mental health needs of others, experienced varying levels of insufficient sleep, depression, and other adverse health conditions, even before the onset of the pandemic.  To understand and address the systemic causes of health worker burnout and improve well-being, we recently launched the Health Worker Mental Health Initiative. Through this Initiative we aim to raise awareness of health workers’ mental health issues, particularly focusing on the role work conditions play and what employers can do.

Labor Day is meant as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of workers. It also reminds us that each worker has a life outside of work with unique personal and family needs, including childcare, eldercare, schooling, and healthcare. Work flexibility is increasingly recognized by workers as an essential determinant of their well-being and NIOSH is committed to understanding how work design and employment conditions impact physical and psychological outcomes.

We thank workers for their contributions to America’s strength and prosperity and invite you to join us as we recognize the workforce, today and always.

 

John Howard, MD, NIOSH Director

 

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Posted on by John Howard, MD

2 comments on “Labor Day 2022: A Statement by NIOSH Director, John Howard, MD”

Comments listed below are posted by individuals not associated with CDC, unless otherwise stated. These comments do not represent the official views of CDC, and CDC does not guarantee that any information posted by individuals on this site is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. Read more about our comment policy ».

    AIHA is proud of its longstanding partnership with NIOSH to help bring its fundamental research in occupational health and safety to the broader occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) profession. AIHA’s 8500+ members leverage your knowledge base and apply it across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Thank you for all you do.

    Thank you Mr. Sloan for AIHA’s steadfast and longstanding support of NIOSH. A great partnership indeed!

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Page last reviewed: November 14, 2022
Page last updated: November 14, 2022