News

Research highlights impact of poor employment practices on grooms

Thursday, 07 November 2024

Research findings released today by the British Grooms Association (BGA) highlight the impact of poor employment practices on the mental health and wellbeing of grooms working in the equestrian industry.

Key issues from the independently analysed survey, which was supported by 551 participants, include:

• Mental health impacts – poor working conditions are directly linked to high levels of anxiety (65%) and depression (55%) among respondents. Anger and frustration were reported by 54%, while sadness and confusion were noted by 39% and 32%, respectively. Only 11% of respondents reported no emotional impact from their work.
• Workplace bullying and harassment – 43% reported experiencing bullying, and 8% faced sexual harassment.
• Employment Rights breaches – over 64% of respondents lack formal employment contracts. Nearly half (46%) reported being paid below the National Minimum Wage, while 51% do not receive payslips and 44% lack pensions. Additionally, 29% are falsely classified as self-employed, and around 30% are denied annual leave.
• Support-seeking patterns – 41% felt they needed mental health support but did not seek it. Nearly 40% did access some form of professional help, including doctors (23%) and counselling (16%).

Several recurring themes were also identified, including financial exploitation, excessive workload, unsafe conditions, emotional distress and a lack of professional recognition.

Encouragingly some findings indicated good employment practices emphasising the positive effects on employee wellbeing and job satisfaction. These demonstrated there were also high levels of positive employment experiences, that where it exists positive workplace well-being is linked to retention.

Lucy Katan, Executive Director of the BGA said: “We wanted to explore the potential link between poor employment and poor mental health in grooms. The results are not surprising to us as we receive a volume of calls stating the synergy, but they are shocking and a stain on our industry. Integrity is critical at this moment in time. We simply must urgently stamp out these illegal practices that are far too commonplace and will, before long, put our sector in the public spotlight, again.”

Read the full BGA release and report

British Equestrian Chief Executive Jim Eyre commented; “We are grateful to the British Grooms Association’s dedication in providing this insight and tirelessly championing the right to fair employment for grooms and their wellbeing.

“We know that some poor employment practice continues throughout the industry, not just for grooms but across a myriad of roles, and action is needed to be better. This information will help inform the ongoing work with our member bodies, including the BGA, on the wider employment and workforce situation. As was the case with other current strategic focus areas including equality, diversity and inclusion and environmental sustainability, it’s only by researching the true scope of the issue can we understand it and work collaboratively on ways to deliver tangible improvement across the sector. Ultimately, we all want the equestrian industry to be an appealing and rewarding career option.”

British Equestrian is currently working on a new overarching strategic plan and the equestrian workforce will be a cornerstone ambition alongside other key issues.  We look forward to sharing further developments in due course.

Working with the Equestrian Employers Association, British Equestrian looks forward to promoting best practice and top tips during ‘Good Employment Week’ on 18–22 November.

For grooms working within the industry, you can get support to resolve your employment issues from the BGA on info@britishgrooms.org.uk, or you can report concerns to us on report@bef.co.uk.

Helpful information is available on www.ridersminds.co.uk and www.equestrian.safetoplay.co.uk.

For employers, if you think you may be someone who doesn’t comply with employment law, the Equestrian Employers Association provide support and tools to help you stay compliant.