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Alice Martin

@alicepmartin.bsky.social
255 followers 116 following 31 posts

Head of Research at the Work Foundation, Lancaster University. Employment rights, working lives, health, industrial strategy. Living in a South London flood risk zone.

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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
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...
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
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)
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Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
📢 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...
Front cover of No Compromises: Supporting people with MS to thrive in and out of work. Partners: Work Foundation and MS Society. Authors: Aman Navani, Asli Atay and Jon Fitzmaurice. Date: May 2025.
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Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
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)
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Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
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):
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Iain Porter @iainkporter.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
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
Image of Government press release stating a "383% rise in less than five years" in the number of people considered too sick to look for work.
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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 13/03/2025
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
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Craig Berry @craigpberry.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
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…🧵
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
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.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
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
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
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.
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The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 07/03/2025
Understanding what is happening to the health of UK workers is key to helping more people to stay in employment.
tcnv.link
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.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
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...
theconversation.com
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.
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
📈 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...
bbc.co.uk
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.
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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...
ft.com
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
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
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.
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
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...
theguardian.com
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
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Anna Dent @annadent.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
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!
theguardian.com
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
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Tom Powdrill @tompowdrill.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
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?
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Annie Irvine @annieirvine.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
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...
health.org.uk
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.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
📣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!
lancaster.ac.uk
Work for us - Lancaster University
Job and freelance opportunities with the Work Foundation.
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Tim Sharp @timsharp.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
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...
theguardian.com
‘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
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
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...
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
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)
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
👇 @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...
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Also over half said they'd reduce staff. I do always wonder how aligned such expectations are to reality. Potential impact on employment is always the first thing raised as an argument not to burden businesses, but how does it impact employment levels really? Genuine Q.
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Rebecca Florisson @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Bank of England's monthly survey asked what businesses expect to do to meet the increased cost of National Insurance Contributions in April. Over half (54%) said they'd raise prices. With wage growth slowing and prices already high, that could add additional pressure to households.
This graph using Bank of England's Decision Maker Panel data from December 2024 shows the reaction to the increase in national insurance contributions that will come in, in April 2025. Multiple answers were possible. The figure shows that 41% of businesses expect to lower employee wages, 53% expects to decrease the number of employees, 54% will pass on the cost through raising prices, and 64% expects to have lower profit margins.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Great article @gdwilliams9.bsky.social on our finding that people with low control over their working hours, pace, tasks etc are 3.7 times more likely to leave their job when they experience a health decline. + all eyes on the Finnish approach to flexible work 👀 www.fenews.co.uk/exclusive/se...
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Hmm
bbc.co.uk
Fast fashion firm Shein showing 'wilful ignorance' over supply-chain questions, MP says
The Chinese retailer and other major companies with operations in the UK are being grilled over concerns of forced labour in the workplace.
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Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
🎫EVENT: Join us on Thursday 9 Jan as we explore our research on healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity & assess the factors for those with long-term health conditions that influence the risk of falling out of work. Ft: @asliatay.bsky.social @alicepmartin.bsky.social @somceo.bsky.social
Stemming the tide: Healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity 
14.00-15.00 – Thursday 9 January 2025 – Online
Asli Atay, Senior Policy Advisor, Work Foundation
Alice Martin, Head of Research, Work Foundation
Stavroula Leka, Professor, Lancaster University
Nick Pahl, Chief Executive, SOM
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
I am here for this, and the teachers I know are too.
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George Williams @gdwilliams9.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
The Work Foundation has just joined Bluesky - give us a follow! @workfoundation.bsky.social
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
EVENT: Join us on Thurs to explore our research on healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity, with @asliatay.bsky.social, Nick Pahl @somceo.bsky.social & Prof Stavroula Leka, expert in workforce health We have 100+ sign ups already, looking forward to it www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stemming-t...
eventbrite.co.uk
Stemming the tide: Healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity
Join the Work Foundation to explore new research.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
My daughter bounded out the door at 7.30 into the rain, wishing people in the street happy new year and waving at squirrels. I resolve to be more like a two year old this year!
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Quick turn around here, suggests exposure and public debate can have an impact
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Great to see our finding in @thetimes.com today - that half the people who leave employment due to illness do so in the first year following their decline in health. This is a critical period, requiring good sick pay, leave and adjustments www.thetimes.com/article/why-...
thetimes.com
Why can’t more than 800,000 job vacancies be filled?
There are four times as many people potentially able to work as there are jobs
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The Autonomy Institute @autonomy-institute.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Catch-up with our latest report 👇 Cloud kitchens, aka "dark kitchens," are reshaping urban food systems and labour practices. But what if they transitioned from profit-driven enterprises to community infrastructure? 🏙️🍽️ buff.ly/3VHU15K
autonomy.work
The Future of Cloud Kitchens: a municipal approach
Read our new report outlining how cloud kitchens could be reclaimed as municipal tools for social and economic transformation.
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Sarah O'Connor @sarahoconnorft.ft.com · 17/12/2024
The gig economy has entered stealth mode, and it's coming to a high street near you. My column this week: www.ft.com/content/0998...
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
Enjoyed the policy conversation at @healthfoundation.bsky.social yesterday. Well done @swjatwell.bsky.social and @christopher-rocks.bsky.social 👏 Lots more to explore on how to share responsibility for workforce health between employers and the state in a fair & sustainable way. Stay posted!
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
A new article from my colleague @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social exploring our findings that insecure work can often be a trap with people remaining stuck in precarity for several years blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk/no-progress-...
blog.ukdataservice.ac.uk
No progress: breaking the cycle of long-term insecure work – Data Impact blog
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
To kick off my account, here's an article I wrote yesterday for @uk.theconversation.com on why direct job creation should be a part of the government's youth guarantee, rather than the spectre of benefit sanctions. Let me know your thoughts! theconversation.com/the-uk-wants...
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Ok, so who should I follow? Lists please!
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Just heard the leading cause of hospitalisation of kids is having their teeth taken out, usually due to sugar consumption. Wow. The food system has so much to answer for.
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Alice Martin @alicepmartin.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Really proud of this new Work Foundation study that tracks 9000+ workers over 4 years & finds high rates of people leaving work due to ill health People with no control over working hours, pace and tasks, are more likely to leave when their health declines www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
lancaster.ac.uk
Stemming the tide: Healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity - Lancaster University
New Work Foundation research aims to provide new evidence, insights and policy direction for how Government and employers can work together to retain more people who experience health issues in employ...
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Occupational health services are critical, yet only 37% of employers provide them. The gap between large employers (47%) and SMEs (30%) is also stark. SMEs, which form the backbone of the UK economy, need targeted support to close this gap. (10/12)
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Nearly 2/3 of employers acknowledge poor employee health negatively impacts their bottom line. But only 1/3 implement measures like: ✅Mental health risk assessments ✅Workload adjustments ✅Proactive health supports (9/12)
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
For those who stay, supportive environments, job autonomy, and tailored adjustments make a huge difference. The challenge? Most employers know this but fail to act. Making the business case for action—and supporting them to follow through—is critical. (8/12)
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Workplace flexibility and autonomy are game-changers for retention. Workers without flexibility are 4x more likely to leave their job after a health decline. (7/12)
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Poor mental health further compounds this issue. Workers with poor mental health are nearly twice as likely to exit the workforce following illness compared to those with good mental health. (6/12)
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Asli Atay @asliatay.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Nearly 1 in 10 workers who experience a health decline leave work within four years. The first year after the onset of ill health is a critical window for intervention—a finding that highlights the urgent need for action. (4/12)
A bar chart titled "Flow of workers aged 16–60 leaving employment depending on whether they experienced a negative health transition in one of six health measures, 2017/18 to 2018/19."

The chart compares two groups:

Workers with no negative health transition: 2.5% left employment.
Workers with a negative health transition: 4.2% left employment.
Source: Analysis of weighted UK Household Longitudinal Study data, 2017/18–2021/22.
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