Pace of work and intensity
There is a very strong link between the intensity of work and reported health problems, and workers exposed to high intensity are more likely to report tiring and painful positions. Three indicators provide information in this area: 'very high speed'; 'tight deadlines' and 'enough time to do the job'.
According to the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey (2005) work intensification is on the increase with rising numbers working at high speed and to tight deadlines.
Around 60% of workers work at very high speed a quarter of the time or more (compared to 56% five years ago and 47% fifteen years ago) and 62% work to tight deadlines a quarter of the time or more (60% five years ago and 50% fifteen years ago). Work intensity levels are highest among high-skilled blue-collar workers.
Factors influencing the pace of work are moving away from production targets and pressures imposed by machinery to 'market constraints' - the external demands of clients, users, patients etc. This change affects women more than men (women have always been more involved in jobs in services); and affects white-collar workers more than blue-collar workers. Colleagues, also represent a factor affecting the pace of work showing an increase since 1995, up from 37% to 42% in 2005.