UK Police Forces rapped over Work-Life Balance

Personnel Today reports that four UK Police Forces have been highlighted for their poor record on officers’ work-life balance. The Police Federation has named the Metrolpolitan, Thames Valley, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire forces as failing to implement necessary changes to improve WLB standards.

The Federation made a number of recommendations in 2008 after surveying their members on workplace wellbeing and health – they now believe these four named forces have done nothing to implement their recommendations.

Several aspect of Police work combine to make the roles extremely challenging from a wellbeing perspective. Shift-work, long hours and unpredictable job demands can have detrimental effects on psychological and physical health. Police officers also routinely come into physical danger while at work, and are exposed to emotionally distressing situations, adding to their ongoing experience of workplace stress.

It’s not all bad news, however – the Police Federation also highlighted the good working being done in this area by a number of other forces including Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Merseyside and South Wales.