Being in employment is critical to living a good life. To many people, this may seem a rather fundamental, if not basic, statement. However, whilst the financial aspect of having a job is important, things are a good deal more important than this. Indeed, jobs play an integral role in the mental and physical health of a society.
Being out of employment for an extended period of time is incredibly damaging to the health of a person; being responsible for the development of many medical conditions. Stress and depression are commonly associated with the unemployed of course, but things go a good deal further than this.
An integral part to being a worthy and valued member of society is to possess good social skills. Whilst these are essentially developed throughout early childhood, maintaining them is necessary; as it is with any other part of the human makeup. As such, being away from interaction with other people for a protracted period of time severely diminishes the social abilities of a person.
The result of this is that people lose touch with what is going on in the world; lose touch with their friends and family members, and do not converse with strangers on a daily basis. The effects of this are far ranging; allowing for people to become more withdrawn from society and as a result, less likely to perform well at interview, thus creating an ever worsening vicious circle.
Those that develop such mental problems are also more likely to go on to develop physical problems. Often, these are as a result of a diminishing in their hygiene standards, which causes weaknesses in the immune system and the development of viruses and infections. That these people are less likely to consult a doctor too, compounds the issue.
Whilst those people having jobs are likely to be healthier then, things are not plain sailing. Indeed, for those people who are working in a position that they passionately do not enjoy, their mental health will likewise be negatively affected. In some cases, the effects could be worse than not having a job at all.
Understanding what makes for good jobs as opposed to bad jobs is, in a great many ways, a very personal preference however. At least for those in work, they are in a better position to look for something better than they already have. Those not in work, may have to accept a job offer which is not really for them of course which, over time, could only serve to make their mental and health situation even worse.