Low job control is a factor when employees have very little control over how they perform their work tasks. Some jobs naturally require an employee to have low control because of the nature of the business eg pilots.
A lack of autonomy can create feelings of stress, frustration, and boredom, which ultimately has a negative impact on mental health.
Low job control on its own is not a hazard, however it can become a psychological hazard when combined with having high job demands and a lack of managerial support over an extended period.
Sarah’s Challenge
Sarah works as a nurse in the emergency department of her local hospital. The hospital typically assigns 12 hour shifts to her department which include nights and weekends. Sarah has no input into the shifts that she receives, as the other nurses working in this department have been there longer and appear to receive the better shifts.
The hospital has been extremely busy over the last six months, and it’s not unusual for Sarah to have to skip meals. Lately, Sarah has begun to feel dizzy due to the long periods of time between her meals. Overtime Sarah begins to feel exhausted and overwhelmed with life due to the constant demands of her job and her lack of control over her working conditions.
What Contributes to Low Job Control
- Being trapped in a job with lots of rules and red tape
- Having no say in what you do or how you do it
- Doing the same boring tasks day in, day out
- Dealing with non-stop pressure and stress
- Butting heads with bosses or not connecting with coworkers
Negative consequences of low job control
- Stress levels skyrocket
- Job satisfaction plummets
- Good talent walks out the door
- Sick days become all too frequent
- People feel like they’re just another number
How to mitigate Low Job Control
- Let people have a real say in decisions that affect their work
- Open up chances for learning and growing on the job
- Loosen the reins on how and where work gets done
- Build better bonds between managers and team members
- Show clear paths for promotion in the company
- Encourage everyone to bring their unique flair to their role
