Aparna S
May 3, 2024: Employees’ mental health is increasingly recognised as an indicator of the work culture and employer-employee relationship.
Poor mental health leads to serious burnout, jeopardising the physical health as well as overall work performance and productivity of the individual.
Stress adversely affects performance; making the scenario “bad master, bad servant.” Meaning, that ensuring a good work environment becomes the vicarious responsibility of every employer.
This is precisely why “70 hours a week” hard work must replace smart, humane working hours and a compassionate workplace environment.
‘Sickness at work’
According to a 2022 survey, 20% of Indians resigned and 29% took leave from their firms due to mental health problems. This means that around a quarter of the country’s workforce is unable to be available for their professional demands.
The same survey reveals a 33% continue to work despite mental health issues. One is only left wondering which is more alarming — sickness absenteeism or sickness at work.
Here, there should be a clarity between “work pressure” and “ work stress”. Whereas one is motivated to better performance by the former, the latter does no good, but harm.
With great power comes great responsibility; and stress. Jobs that require higher skill levels are more responsible and stressful. So those who handle the responsibility should also be able to handle stress healthily.
Bad boss and stress
A hostile workspace can be a result of a bad boss, the nature of the job, individual personality and relationship with colleagues, poor job prospects and family conflicts, to name a few.
Stress at work and a bad boss go hand in hand. Rather, one compliments the other. Unrealistic targets, tasks that are not part of regular duty, and the hierarchical nature of the firm add fuel to the fire.
Here, effective communication is the key. Saying a firm no is always the best way to avoid any further unpleasant interactions.
Multitasking is another hidden villain. Often the multiple tasks include those that are beyond the scope of employee faculty and add on to stress, resulting in decreased productivity and overall ill mental health.
Difficult colleagues
Difficulties with colleagues are a two-way problem, either it’s the personality-disordered employee the strained interactions with colleagues; or both.
This again is a situation that can be resolved by amicable discussion and clear division of labour.
With conflicting family dynamics, it is difficult to establish a healthy work-life balance. Quality time is the answer here. Find out activities of common interest, watch a movie or go on a trip. Anything that lets you spend some time with your people, minus the screen time.
Job insecurity has become a serious concern of late, especially post-pandemic. Companies try to live up to the competition at the cost of their employees. Reorganisations, takeovers, and mergers — all take a toll on the workforce and make it hard to survive.
Psychosocial intervention
Development and implementation of a sensible workplace mental health policy is very much the need of the hour.
Stress management training, anger management and psychosocial intervention facilities should be an integral part of every firm.
A healthy workforce is economically productive and beneficial for the growth of the firm. Without that, work is never worship, but a “ worry ship.”
(Dr Aparna S is a consultant psychiatrist and an Assistant Professor at the Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Tiruvalla, Kerala. Views expressed are her own and not of an organisation or company.)
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