17 Psychosocial risks
Low Job Control
Low job control is when workers have little or no say over how or when their job is done.
Signs of low job control include:
unnecessary or unreasonable levels of supervision and surveillance
excessive responsibility but little authority or decision making power
inflexible procedures that don’t allow people to use their skills and judgement.
Low job control becomes a hazard when workers have very low levels of control, over long periods or if it happens often.
Risk of harm to health increases when low levels of job control combine with other psychosocial hazards, such as high job demands and low support from co-workers or supervisors.
How job control improves worker performance
While low job control can cause harm, having high levels of job control – also known as agency or autonomy – can help protect workers from harm caused by exposure to other psychosocial hazards. For example, workers with high levels of control over when they do their work can choose to take breaks after performing highly demanding tasks, reducing stress and helping recovery.
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psychosocial risks
Please note that the information on this page is based on guidance from Comcare’s psychosocial resources. Definitions, terminology, and regulatory expectations may vary by state, territory, or country. Each psychosocial risk has its own dedicated page, and ReFresh is designed to adapt to the specific regulations and frameworks that apply in your jurisdiction, supporting organisations operating across different regions worldwide.