A new global survey of care workers reveals a deepening staffing crisis in the health and care sectors, with nearly 70% of workers frequently understaffed and over a third (36.4%) saying they are always working short-handed.

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Key findings from the survey:

1. Severe short staffing: 67.8% of care workers report working short-staffed regularly, and 36.4% say they “always” work understaffed. Among workers who regularly experience short staffing only 43% see their careers as sustainable until retirement compared with 72 for those workers that don’t work short staffed.
2. Low wages driving dissatisfaction: 62.6% of respondents say they are dissatisfied with their pay, and only 1.7% are “very satisfied.” Younger workers are the most likely to leave the profession before retirement.
3. Unsafe working conditions: Only 39.4% of care workers feel safe at work, and 27.1% have suffered injuries lasting over a month due to working conditions.
4. Widespread workplace violence: 86.2% of care workers have experienced or witnessed violence, harassment or discrimination, with more than a third (37.0%) facing these threats at least monthly.
5. Migrant workers at greater risk: 57.4% of migrant care workers report experiencing discrimination, and 40.5% do not see their jobs as sustainable until retirement.
6. Unionised workers fare better: Union members are significantly more likely to see their careers as sustainable (50.2%) compared to non-union workers (39.3%).

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