"Crisi globale del lavoro: gli infermieri italiani fanalino di coda"

The “State of Global Workplace Report 2024” by Gallup, one of the most authoritative analysis and consulting companies in the world, presents a disturbing view of the current state of work worldwide.

According to the report, only 23% of employees worldwide feel truly engaged in their work, a figure that rises to 33% in the United States and Canada, but drops to 8% in Italy. An economic loss of 9 trillion dollars globally.

The 2024 Gallup report sends a clear warning: if prompt action is not taken, there could be devastating consequences for the entire global economy and workers' mental health.

The report highlights a particularly critical Italian reality: 41% of Italian workers are looking for a new job, second only to Albania. 46% of Italians say they are stressed, 25% say they feel sadness every day. 11% feel anger.

Among the main factors of dissatisfaction: little trust in leadership (75% of workers have no trust), limited growth opportunities and a deterioration of psychological well-being. 

According to a survey by Nursing Up Emilia Romagna on healthcare staff, only 8% of respondents say they work in a non-toxic environment. 99% are not satisfied with their salary.

To address these problems, Gallup suggests a series of interventions: valuing employees, creating kind leadership, promoting well-being in the workplace. These interventions would bring satisfaction to workers and a positive impact on productivity and innovation.

Italy, compared to the Nordic countries and Germany, shows a chasm in all indicators of workplace well-being. The situation is particularly critical for nurses, who face high levels of stress and dissatisfaction, injuries, with growth opportunities and pay below the European and world average.

According to another recent study by Remote, “European work-life balance 2023”, Italy is in last place in Europe regarding work-life balance (working hours, holidays, salary, welfare state, minimum wage, etc.).

Better than Italy: Greece, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, Croatia, Serbia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Poland and all European countries, except Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, barely surpassed, but in practice are in the same pit of inefficiency.

This report highlights the serious shortcomings of Italian policies regarding work and citizens' well-being, with negative consequences for both the mental and physical health of workers.

1 in 3 Italians said that work negatively affects their private life.

A bleak picture: no minimum wage, excessive working hours, widespread stress, work environments defined as toxic, salaries last in the OECD average compared to risks, responsibilities, inflation and high cost of living. With the exception of politicians and public managers, who are doing very well in the OECD average.

There is only one way forward: to unite under a single category union, giving it at least 51% of the votes and thus being able to strongly demand an OECD average salary, exclusivity allowance, free mobility, recognition as a strenuous profession and a single national contract (so that there are no more A or B class colleagues).

The historic unions, those that still hold the majority today, have had decades to make a difference, but the results have not lived up to expectations. The changes to Article 18 and the collapse of purchasing power are just some of the failures that have left us with a bitter taste. Enough now. It's time to change, and change requires your involvement.

We can't wait any longer. The future of Italian healthcare depends on us. Join Nursing Up today and help transform our profession. Change starts now, with you."