Alice Martin
@alicepmartin.bsky.social
Head of Research at the Work Foundation, Lancaster University. Employment rights, working lives, health, industrial strategy. Living in a South London flood risk zone.
Pleased to speak to @financialtimes.com on material risks to companies from declining workforce health
New @workfoundation.bsky.social research shows 1 in 5 UK workers report poor health, and 6% might leave within a year because of it. Nearly 1/4 of 16–24-year-olds report poor mental health...
New @workfoundation.bsky.social research shows 1 in 5 UK workers report poor health, and 6% might leave within a year because of it. Nearly 1/4 of 16–24-year-olds report poor mental health...
June 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Pleased to speak to @financialtimes.com on material risks to companies from declining workforce health
New @workfoundation.bsky.social research shows 1 in 5 UK workers report poor health, and 6% might leave within a year because of it. Nearly 1/4 of 16–24-year-olds report poor mental health...
New @workfoundation.bsky.social research shows 1 in 5 UK workers report poor health, and 6% might leave within a year because of it. Nearly 1/4 of 16–24-year-olds report poor mental health...
Reposted by Alice Martin
Today’s stats paint a picture of a weakening labour market. Unemployment is rising (4.6%), vacancies are falling, and more people are returning to the labour market—often out of necessity, not opportunity. This should be a red flag ahead of tomorrow’s Spending Review. 🧵(1/6)
June 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Today’s stats paint a picture of a weakening labour market. Unemployment is rising (4.6%), vacancies are falling, and more people are returning to the labour market—often out of necessity, not opportunity. This should be a red flag ahead of tomorrow’s Spending Review. 🧵(1/6)
Reposted by Alice Martin
📢 Today, we release new research with @mssocietyuk.bsky.social on the experiences of 1,125 people with multiple sclerosis. It explores the barriers & enablers to accessing & staying in work with 96% of respondents stating MS impacted their ability to work. (1/10) lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
May 22, 2025 at 9:06 AM
📢 Today, we release new research with @mssocietyuk.bsky.social on the experiences of 1,125 people with multiple sclerosis. It explores the barriers & enablers to accessing & staying in work with 96% of respondents stating MS impacted their ability to work. (1/10) lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Reposted by Alice Martin
Comment from our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on zero-hour contract data from the ONS ⬇️
“Today’s data indicates a marked increase in the use of zero-hour contracts in the last year. There are now 1.17 million zero-hour contract workers, the second highest level on record. (1/7)
“Today’s data indicates a marked increase in the use of zero-hour contracts in the last year. There are now 1.17 million zero-hour contract workers, the second highest level on record. (1/7)
May 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Comment from our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on zero-hour contract data from the ONS ⬇️
“Today’s data indicates a marked increase in the use of zero-hour contracts in the last year. There are now 1.17 million zero-hour contract workers, the second highest level on record. (1/7)
“Today’s data indicates a marked increase in the use of zero-hour contracts in the last year. There are now 1.17 million zero-hour contract workers, the second highest level on record. (1/7)
Reposted by Alice Martin
Our Head of Research, @alicepmartin.bsky.social joined Sean Farrington on Making Ends Meet on Radio 4 over Easter to talk about people who have to hold down a second job so they can afford to live.
Listen now: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The key points Alice made were (1/6):
Listen now: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The key points Alice made were (1/6):
April 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Our Head of Research, @alicepmartin.bsky.social joined Sean Farrington on Making Ends Meet on Radio 4 over Easter to talk about people who have to hold down a second job so they can afford to live.
Listen now: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The key points Alice made were (1/6):
Listen now: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
The key points Alice made were (1/6):
Reposted by Alice Martin
Yesterday, a Government press release claimed the number of people “considered too sick to work” had "quadrupled" since the pandemic (a "383% rise"). This is incorrect. In fact, it’s not even close. It's more like 40%.
This thread explains why 🧵1/7
This thread explains why 🧵1/7
March 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Yesterday, a Government press release claimed the number of people “considered too sick to work” had "quadrupled" since the pandemic (a "383% rise"). This is incorrect. In fact, it’s not even close. It's more like 40%.
This thread explains why 🧵1/7
This thread explains why 🧵1/7
Reposted by Alice Martin
An increasing number of businesses – including Amazon, Boots and JP Morgan – have issued return-to-office diktats 🏢 💻
But such rules could disadvantage more than a million disabled workers, new @workfoundation.bsky.social research warns 👇
buff.ly/60rDedY
But such rules could disadvantage more than a million disabled workers, new @workfoundation.bsky.social research warns 👇
buff.ly/60rDedY
March 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
An increasing number of businesses – including Amazon, Boots and JP Morgan – have issued return-to-office diktats 🏢 💻
But such rules could disadvantage more than a million disabled workers, new @workfoundation.bsky.social research warns 👇
buff.ly/60rDedY
But such rules could disadvantage more than a million disabled workers, new @workfoundation.bsky.social research warns 👇
buff.ly/60rDedY
Reposted by Alice Martin
Looking ahead to the disability benefits green paper, this essay for @citizensadvice.bsky.social makes the case for a system focused on improving health outcomes.
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
March 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Looking ahead to the disability benefits green paper, this essay for @citizensadvice.bsky.social makes the case for a system focused on improving health outcomes.
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
Co-authors @maddyirose.bsky.social, @victoria-anns.bsky.social & Simon Collerton
We challenge the 5 big falsehoods underpinning cuts…🧵
The one year job guarantee for people recovering from health issues is a no brainer.
Our 2024 study found that half of the people leaving work after falling ill do so within the first 12 months, presumably once sick pay runs out. Protecting jobs for longer makes sense and would reduce attrition.
Our 2024 study found that half of the people leaving work after falling ill do so within the first 12 months, presumably once sick pay runs out. Protecting jobs for longer makes sense and would reduce attrition.
Here for @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives launch, with Chris Rocks setting out recommendations including a 1 year job guarantee.
March 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The one year job guarantee for people recovering from health issues is a no brainer.
Our 2024 study found that half of the people leaving work after falling ill do so within the first 12 months, presumably once sick pay runs out. Protecting jobs for longer makes sense and would reduce attrition.
Our 2024 study found that half of the people leaving work after falling ill do so within the first 12 months, presumably once sick pay runs out. Protecting jobs for longer makes sense and would reduce attrition.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, cutting PIP - a payment that helps disabled people live independently, including by taking up work, is nothing short of bonkers given the UKs ill-health economic inactivity rate and disability employment gap
March 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I've said it before and I'll say it again, cutting PIP - a payment that helps disabled people live independently, including by taking up work, is nothing short of bonkers given the UKs ill-health economic inactivity rate and disability employment gap
Useful reflections on the wider benefits of improved worker protections - like a more sustainable economy and ensuring technological change results in social progress, rather than deepening inequalities. Good reminder to lift our heads from the day to day and see the bigger picture.
Experts de-bunk economic myths on the Employment Rights Bill: leading economists and labour lawyers sign an open letter to expose business myths being used to stoke fear around the Employment Rights Bill.
Read the letter here:
www.ier.org.uk/news/ier-exp...
Read the letter here:
www.ier.org.uk/news/ier-exp...
March 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Useful reflections on the wider benefits of improved worker protections - like a more sustainable economy and ensuring technological change results in social progress, rather than deepening inequalities. Good reminder to lift our heads from the day to day and see the bigger picture.
Reposted by Alice Martin
Understanding what is happening to the health of UK workers is key to helping more people to stay in employment.
Welfare cuts won’t succeed without healthier jobs
Understanding what is happening to the health of UK workers is key to helping more people to stay in employment.
tcnv.link
March 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Understanding what is happening to the health of UK workers is key to helping more people to stay in employment.
Why welfare cuts are a bad idea, especially when we have low sick pay & rising health issues. Prevalence of insecure work, and jobs that are physically and mentally draining, mean work isn't viable for a lot of people.
Some thoughts from me and Stavroula Leka theconversation.com/welfare-cuts...
Some thoughts from me and Stavroula Leka theconversation.com/welfare-cuts...
Welfare cuts won’t succeed without healthier jobs
Understanding what is happening to the health of UK workers is key to helping more people to stay in employment.
theconversation.com
March 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Why welfare cuts are a bad idea, especially when we have low sick pay & rising health issues. Prevalence of insecure work, and jobs that are physically and mentally draining, mean work isn't viable for a lot of people.
Some thoughts from me and Stavroula Leka theconversation.com/welfare-cuts...
Some thoughts from me and Stavroula Leka theconversation.com/welfare-cuts...
Reposted by Alice Martin
📈 Number of NEET increased to 987k.
The focus on mental health makes sense - it's a big part of the problem - but this story misses that the increase we're seeing is driven by young people actively looking for work but not obtaining it = different problem. (1/4)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The focus on mental health makes sense - it's a big part of the problem - but this story misses that the increase we're seeing is driven by young people actively looking for work but not obtaining it = different problem. (1/4)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Number of young people not in work or education hits 11-year high
The latest figure of 987,000 16-24-year-olds not in work, education or training has risen by 110,000 in a year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
📈 Number of NEET increased to 987k.
The focus on mental health makes sense - it's a big part of the problem - but this story misses that the increase we're seeing is driven by young people actively looking for work but not obtaining it = different problem. (1/4)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The focus on mental health makes sense - it's a big part of the problem - but this story misses that the increase we're seeing is driven by young people actively looking for work but not obtaining it = different problem. (1/4)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alice Martin
New Unison survey finds that quarter of migrant care staff were paid less than the minimum wage + over 50% were not paid for time spent travelling between visits.
Visa system for care workers creates power imbalance and leaves very little room for recourse for workers.
www.ft.com/content/703f...
Visa system for care workers creates power imbalance and leaves very little room for recourse for workers.
www.ft.com/content/703f...
Care workers routinely mistreated despite UK government efforts to tackle abuses, report finds
Unison survey shows more than a quarter of migrant staff were paid less than the statutory hourly minimum
www.ft.com
February 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
New Unison survey finds that quarter of migrant care staff were paid less than the minimum wage + over 50% were not paid for time spent travelling between visits.
Visa system for care workers creates power imbalance and leaves very little room for recourse for workers.
www.ft.com/content/703f...
Visa system for care workers creates power imbalance and leaves very little room for recourse for workers.
www.ft.com/content/703f...
Since the rise of home-working, there's a real need for local community hubs where workers, and people looking for work, can come together and use facilities like childcare, meeting rooms, computers.
Jobcentres could be this. Let's make them attractive, supportive & welcoming spaces.
Jobcentres could be this. Let's make them attractive, supportive & welcoming spaces.
🚨 NEW BRIEFING: 'Transforming Employment and Support Infrastructure'
Our latest research reimagines Jobcentres within the UK welfare system: outlining a roadmap for transforming transactional spaces into holistic, empowering hubs 🧵👇
https://buff.ly/3EsgFt9
Our latest research reimagines Jobcentres within the UK welfare system: outlining a roadmap for transforming transactional spaces into holistic, empowering hubs 🧵👇
https://buff.ly/3EsgFt9
Transforming Employment and Support Infrastructure
Read our new report outlining how Jobcentres could be transformed from traditionally transactional spaces into holistic, empowering hubs – dynamic community assets that foster empowerment and…
buff.ly
February 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Since the rise of home-working, there's a real need for local community hubs where workers, and people looking for work, can come together and use facilities like childcare, meeting rooms, computers.
Jobcentres could be this. Let's make them attractive, supportive & welcoming spaces.
Jobcentres could be this. Let's make them attractive, supportive & welcoming spaces.
Reposted by Alice Martin
Great to see support for the proposed Employment Rights Bill across the political spectrum, with nearly 3 in 4 in support of banning zero hours contracts, widening access to Statutory Sick Pay and granting employment rights from day one.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Labour urged to defend workers’ rights bill as poll shows huge public support
Exclusive: Poll reveals 72% of UK voters favour ban on zero-hours contracts, including majority of Tory and Reform supporters
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Great to see support for the proposed Employment Rights Bill across the political spectrum, with nearly 3 in 4 in support of banning zero hours contracts, widening access to Statutory Sick Pay and granting employment rights from day one.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Alice Martin
Missed this last week - automatic deductions to pay rent from UC unlawful.
Quote from the solicitor “The computer program is, in effect, a policy which directs DWP decision-makers...”
Automation brings about policy decisions as a direct result of a process being automated - often overlooked!
Quote from the solicitor “The computer program is, in effect, a policy which directs DWP decision-makers...”
Automation brings about policy decisions as a direct result of a process being automated - often overlooked!
DWP program that automatically approves landlord benefit deduction requests ruled unlawful
Tenant challenged procedure after £500 docked from universal credit payment at landlord’s request, with whom he was in dispute over repairs
www.theguardian.com
February 3, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Missed this last week - automatic deductions to pay rent from UC unlawful.
Quote from the solicitor “The computer program is, in effect, a policy which directs DWP decision-makers...”
Automation brings about policy decisions as a direct result of a process being automated - often overlooked!
Quote from the solicitor “The computer program is, in effect, a policy which directs DWP decision-makers...”
Automation brings about policy decisions as a direct result of a process being automated - often overlooked!
Reposted by Alice Martin
I know there used to be data on use of pension fund surpluses, splitting out contributions holidays/reductions, refunds to employers, benefit improvements etc. Think it was HMRC. But I can’t see it anywhere. Any fellow pension nerds know if the figures are still produced?
January 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I know there used to be data on use of pension fund surpluses, splitting out contributions holidays/reductions, refunds to employers, benefit improvements etc. Think it was HMRC. But I can’t see it anywhere. Any fellow pension nerds know if the figures are still produced?
Reposted by Alice Martin
The Health Foundation has published new analysis on mental health trends among working age people and invited me to share some thoughts. Taking a more holistic approach to understanding capacity for work seems to be at the heart of it: www.health.org.uk/features-and...
Unravelling the rise in mental health-related inactivity
Dr Annie Irvine on why we need for a much more holistic approach to understanding capacity in order to tackle mental health-related inactivity.
www.health.org.uk
January 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The Health Foundation has published new analysis on mental health trends among working age people and invited me to share some thoughts. Taking a more holistic approach to understanding capacity for work seems to be at the heart of it: www.health.org.uk/features-and...
📣We have a fantastic role going in our @workfoundation.bsky.social research team: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Please share with anyone you know who is committed to changing the world of work for the better - and do get in touch if you're interested in applying and have questions!
Please share with anyone you know who is committed to changing the world of work for the better - and do get in touch if you're interested in applying and have questions!
Work for us - Lancaster University
Job and freelance opportunities with the Work Foundation.
www.lancaster.ac.uk
January 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
📣We have a fantastic role going in our @workfoundation.bsky.social research team: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Please share with anyone you know who is committed to changing the world of work for the better - and do get in touch if you're interested in applying and have questions!
Please share with anyone you know who is committed to changing the world of work for the better - and do get in touch if you're interested in applying and have questions!
Reposted by Alice Martin
Employers shouldn't be able to hide behind opaque algorithms.
Good article featuring @jamesfarrar.bsky.social
‘It’s a nightmare’: couriers mystified by the algorithms that control their jobs www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Good article featuring @jamesfarrar.bsky.social
‘It’s a nightmare’: couriers mystified by the algorithms that control their jobs www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘It’s a nightmare’: couriers mystified by the algorithms that control their jobs
From pay shortfalls to being dropped by apps, drivers face a range of issues – often with no way to fix them
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Employers shouldn't be able to hide behind opaque algorithms.
Good article featuring @jamesfarrar.bsky.social
‘It’s a nightmare’: couriers mystified by the algorithms that control their jobs www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Good article featuring @jamesfarrar.bsky.social
‘It’s a nightmare’: couriers mystified by the algorithms that control their jobs www.theguardian.com/business/202...
New survey finds work-life balance is more important to workers than pay (in @theguardian.com today)
But the UK has some of the weakest working time protections in the OECD (see chart) - we also have an above average % employees working v. long hours
www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancas...
But the UK has some of the weakest working time protections in the OECD (see chart) - we also have an above average % employees working v. long hours
www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancas...
January 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
New survey finds work-life balance is more important to workers than pay (in @theguardian.com today)
But the UK has some of the weakest working time protections in the OECD (see chart) - we also have an above average % employees working v. long hours
www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancas...
But the UK has some of the weakest working time protections in the OECD (see chart) - we also have an above average % employees working v. long hours
www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancas...
Reposted by Alice Martin
Disabled workers report that hybrid and remote work allows them to better manage their condition and report maintained or improved productivity. Given government’s aim to get more people to join the workforce and grow the economy, access to flex working is a key lever to achieve this. (3/4)
January 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Disabled workers report that hybrid and remote work allows them to better manage their condition and report maintained or improved productivity. Given government’s aim to get more people to join the workforce and grow the economy, access to flex working is a key lever to achieve this. (3/4)
👇 @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on a mission to bring some evidence to the wfh culture wars. She's been quoted all over the news today 👏
Stay tuned for a new study on this topic from us...
Stay tuned for a new study on this topic from us...
This morning the BBC reported that Lord Rose stated that working from home is 'not proper work'. https://buff.ly/3E40aDl
Our Principal Analyst, @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social commented:
“The recent push-back from some employers to roll back on hybrid and remote work is unhelpful...
Our Principal Analyst, @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social commented:
“The recent push-back from some employers to roll back on hybrid and remote work is unhelpful...
Working from home is 'not proper work', says ex-Asda boss
Lord Rose says it harms productivity but expert says hybrid work can be as good as full-time in the office.
buff.ly
January 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
👇 @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on a mission to bring some evidence to the wfh culture wars. She's been quoted all over the news today 👏
Stay tuned for a new study on this topic from us...
Stay tuned for a new study on this topic from us...