Fairness at work can boost employees' health

The findings showed that when perceptions of fairness changed, the self-rated health of employees also changed. Those who experienced more fairness on average reported better health.

"Our study provides a thorough examination of how fairness at the workplace and health of employees is related over time,” said Constanze Eib, lecturer at Britain's University of East Anglia.

Also, fairness at work is a crucial aspect of the psychosocial work environment and that changes towards greater fairness can improve employees' health.

"People who feel fairly treated are not only more likely to be motivated at work and go the extra mile for their organisation, but they are also more likely to be healthy, have an active lifestyle and feel positive," Eib added.

Further, the health status of employees may also affect how employees feel treated at work.

The results are detailed in the Journal of Work, Environment and Health. 

The team investigated whether perceptions of what they call 'procedural justice', such as the processes in place to decide on rewards, pay, promotion and assignments are related to employees' health.

The findings can help raise awareness among employers and authorities that fairness at work but also health is important to consider increasing satisfaction, well-being and productivity in the workplace and wider society, the researchers said.

The study, focused on more than 5800 people working in Sweden. Participants were asked to rate their general state of health on a scale from one to five, one being 'very good' and five being 'very poor'.