Workplace Related Stress : WHO & ILO Report

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Theme : Important Reports & Schemes
Paper : GS - 2

• Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses.
• Symptoms include a drop in work performance, depression, anxiety and sleeping difficulties.

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Context
2. What is Work Related Stress
3. Major Highlights by WHO & ILO
4. Issues
5. Benefits of Preventing Work Related Stress
6. Road Ahead

Context : The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have issued guidelines to address mental health issues among the global workforce.

What is Work Related Stress : 

• Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses.
• Symptoms include a drop in work performance, depression, anxiety and sleeping difficulties.

Major Highlights by WHO & ILO : 

• Loss in economy and workforce

  • Depression and anxiety are thought to account for 12 billion lost workdays annually, costing the world economy close to $1 trillion, according to the WHO.

• Countries having national programmes 

  • Five per cent of the working-age population had mental illness and only 35 percent of countries had national programmes for work-related mental health promotion in place.  

• Increase in anxiety and despair 

  • COVID-19 caused a 25 percent increase in anxiety and despair, demonstrating how poorly governments anticipated its effects on mental health. 

• The pandemic highlighted a persistent lack of mental health resources globally. 

  • Governments globally allocated just 2 per cent of their health budgets to mental health in 2020, with lower-middle-income nations allocating less than 1 per cent.

Issues : 

• Loss of productivity

  • The individual’s well-being is a reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also affect a person’s performance and productivity.

• Socio-economic problems 

  • An unhealthy work culture accentuates broader socio-economic problems, such as inequality and discrimination, which affect mental health. 

• Mobbing

  • One of the most common workplace harassment is bullying or psychological assault, commonly known as mobbing.

• Other major challenges:

  • Low salaries

  • Excessive workload

  • Few opportunities for growth or advancement

  • Work that isn’t engaging or challenging

  • Lack of social support

  • Not having enough control over job-related decisions

  • Conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations

Benefits of Preventing Work Related Stress : 

• Reduced symptoms of poor mental and physical health
• Fewer injuries, less illness and lost time
• Reduced sick leave usage, absences and staff turnover
• Increased productivity
• Greater job satisfaction
• Increased work engagement
• Reduced costs to the employer
• Improved employee health and community wellbeing.

Road Ahead : 

• Training

  • WHO has suggested manager training to avoid stressful work settings and assist distressed employees.

• Investments

  • We need to invest in reshaping the working environment to stop stigma and social exclusion and ensure employees with mental health conditions feel protected and supported.

• Return to work

  • The guidelines also suggested improved approaches to meeting the requirements of workers with mental health disorders and prescribed interventions that promote their return to work. 

• Paid employment mechanisms

  • It also offered paid employment mechanisms for people with severe mental health conditions. The guidelines emphasized the need for actions to protect medical, humanitarian and emergency personnel.

• Work-related stress is a management issue:

  • Ensure a safe working environment.

  • Make sure that everyone is properly trained for their job.

  • De-stigmatise work-related stress by openly recognising it as a genuine problem.

  • Discuss issues and grievances with employees, and take appropriate action when possible.

  • Devise a stress management policy in consultation with the employees.

  • Encourage an environment where employees have more say over their duties, promotional prospects and safety.

FAQs : 

1. What is Work Related Stress?

Answer : 

• Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses.

• Symptoms include a drop in work performance, depression, anxiety and sleeping difficulties.

2. What are the benefits of Preventing Stress at the workplace?

Answer : 

• Greater job satisfaction

• Increased work engagement

• Reduced costs to the employer

• Improved employee health and community wellbeing.